Archeological Reconnaissance of Selected Trail Corridors, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio and Brewster Counties, Texas 2004 - 2010

Between 2004 and 2010, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) archeologists conducted reconnaissance level archeological investigations of selected trails at Big Bend Ranch State Park, Brewster and Presidio Counties, Texas. The purpose of the investigations was to provide cultural resources information that would be beneficial in developing a multi-use trail system in the park that would avoid both direct and potential secondary impacts to archeological sites, when possible, or provide recommendations for mitigative measures, when necessary. These investigations also provide the baseline data needed for conducting future conditions assessments on these sites. During the course of these investigations, a total of 188 kilometers (117 miles) of trails were surveyed. The majority of these trails followed existing ranch roads, while the remainder followed drainages, existing livestock or game trails, or were newly created. New trail construction was coordinated with the Texas Historical Commission via interim reports. On average, the survey corridors were approximately 100 m (330 ft) wide, resulting in a total of about 7,456 acres being examined for archeological resources during the project. The examined trail routes are scattered across the park, providing a good cross-section of much of the topography in the area and the archeological sites that occur in these settings. Seventy-two previously recorded archeological sites were examined during the investigations, and a total of 159 previously unknown archeological sites, with cultural components ranging in age from the Early Paleoindian period to the mid-twentieth century, were recorded. Among the Native American site types are open habitations, rockshelter habitations, rock imagery sites, quarry sites, lithic scatters, isolated hearths, rock cairns and vision quest sites. Euro-American sites include open campsites, a wide variety of ranching facilities, cinnabar mining sites, candelilla wax processing sites, and historic graffiti. A total of 169 prehistoric and historic isolated finds were also documented during the investigation, consisting primarily of isolated cultural features or individual artifacts. Discussions of the archeological resources in this report include recommendations for the management and protection of sites examined during the present investigations. Site monitoring schedules and recommendations for nomination of significant sites as official State Antiquities Landmarks are often included

Investigation of the Superman Stretch on Posterior Capsule Range of Motion

Introduction: Shoulder pain is a common clinical entity affecting all age groups and can frequently be attributed to pathological internal impingement. A primary contributing factor to labrum tears and internal impingement is posterior capsule tightness. In order to improve range of motion (R.O.M.), prior studies have demonstrated that stretching is an important tool for increasing R.O.M. at many joints. We hypothesized that the superman stretch would lead to greater increases in IR than the traditional sleeper stretch. Methods: A level II, prospective study in collegiate-level athletes from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) was performed. Shoulder internal rotation (IR), shoulder external rotation (ER), and glenohumeral (GH) horizontal adduction were measured. Students were randomized to perform the sleeper stretch (control) or superman stretch (experimental). Measurements were taken with a digital goniometer. P-values were calculated with a two-sample z-test. Results: Both stretches produced significant differences in pre- and post-stretch R.O.M. across all outcomes measured (IR, ER, adduction). The superman stretch appears to provide an increase in IR (p-value 0.196) and in horizontal adduction (p-value 0.0731), whereas the sleeper stretch appears to provide an increase in ER (p-value 0.343). Discussion: Though not statistically significant, our results indicate that the superman stretch may provide an increase in IR and horizontal adduction when compared to the sleeper stretch. A larger sample size is required to determine more significant values. Demonstration of significant improvements in shoulder R.O.M. would allow us to begin to investigate the effects of posterior capsule stretching on overhead athletes experiencing shoulder pain

Common nutritional shortcomings in vegetarians and vegans

The popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets is growing due to increased awareness of the environmental and health benefits of such diets. However, despite the consumption of meatless diets being associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases and mortality, followers of these diets are prone to certain nutritional inadequacies, which could limit health benefits. The main nutrients of concern are vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, calcium, and iron. It is essential for all those following vegetarian and vegan diets to implement vitamin B12 supplementation. To prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, adults should take one oral dose of 50–100 μg cyanocobalamin daily or 2000 μg weekly divided into two oral cyanocobalamin doses. Iodine supplementation is essential for pregnant and breastfeeding women and is recommended for vegetarians and vegans who are unable to access sea vegetables or iodine-fortified foods. The recommended dose of iodine supplement for adults is 150 μg daily. Selenium supplementation should be reserved for individuals with clinical evidence of deficiency due to concerns of adverse effects on lipid profiles and type 2 diabetes risk. It is recommended that vegetarian and vegan adults should supplement 4000 International Units (IU)/d of oral vitamin D to prevent deficiency as sunlight exposure is unreliable due to a range of lifestyle and environmental factors. This recommendation also applies to omnivores. As a precaution, those wishing to transition to a more plant-based diet should consider how they will substitute the nutrition they currently obtain from animal-based foods with plant-based sources or appropriate supplementation

Carbonate : an alternative dopant to stabilize new perovskite phases ; synthesis and structure of Ba3Yb2O5CO3 and related isostructural phases Ba3Ln2O5CO3 (Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu)

In this paper we report the synthesis of the new layered perovskite oxide carbonate, Ba3Yb2O5CO3. This phase is formed when 3BaCO(3):1Yb(2)O(3) mixtures are heated in air at temperatures 1000 degrees C, while above this temperature the carbonate is lost and the simple oxide phase Ba3Yb4O9 is observed. The structure of Ba3Yb2O5CO3 was determined from neutron diffraction studies and consists of a tripled perovskite with double Yb-O layers separated by carbonate layers, the first example of a material with such a structure. Further studies showed that analogous Ba(3)Ln(2)O(5)CO(3) phases could be formed for other rare earths (Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu). The results highlight the ability of the perovskite structure to accommodate carbonate groups, and emphasise the need to consider their potential presence particularly for perovskite systems prepared in lower temperature synthesis routes

Plant-based dietary patterns for human and planetary health

The coronavirus pandemic has acted as a reset on global economies, providing us with the opportunity to build back greener and ensure global warming does not surpass 1.5 °C. It is time for developed nations to commit to red meat reduction targets and shift to plant-based dietary patterns. Transitioning to plant-based diets (PBDs) has the potential to reduce diet-related land use by 76%, diet-related greenhouse gas emissions by 49%, eutrophication by 49%, and green and blue water use by 21% and 14%, respectively, whilst garnering substantial health co-benefits. An extensive body of data from prospective cohort studies and controlled trials supports the implementation of PBDs for obesity and chronic disease prevention. The consumption of diets high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, and unsaturated vegetable oils, and low in animal products, refined grains, and added sugars are associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. Meat appreciation, health concerns, convenience, and expense are prominent barriers to PBDs. Strategic policy action is required to overcome these barriers and promote the implementation of healthy and sustainable PBDs

Young people’s preferences for the use of emerging technologies for asymptomatic regular chlamydia testing and management: a discrete choice experiment in England

Objective To undertake a comprehensive assessment of the strength of preferences among young people for attributes of emerging technologies for testing and treatment of asymptomatic chlamydia. Design Discrete choice experiment (DCE) with sequential mixed methods design. A staged approach to selection of attributes/levels included two literature reviews, focus groups with young people aged 16–24 years (n=21), experts’ review (n=13) and narrative synthesis. Cognitive testing was undertaken to pilot and adapt the initial questionnaire. Online national panel was used for final DCE survey to maximise generalisability. Analysis of questionnaire responses used multinomial logit models and included validity checks. Setting England. Participants 1230 young people aged 16–24 from a national online panel (completion rate 73%). Outcome measures ORs for service attributes in relation to reference levels. Results The strongest attribute influencing preferences was chlamydia test accuracy (OR 3.24, 95% CI 3.13 to 3.36), followed by time to result (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.71 to 1.91). Respondents showed a preference for remote chlamydia testing options (self-testing, self-sampling and postal testing) over attendance at a testing location. For accessing treatment following a positive test result, there was a general preference for online (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.28) versus traditional general practitioner (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.24) or pharmacy (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.22) over clinic services. For accessing a healthcare professional and receipt of antibiotics, there was little difference in preferences between options. Conclusions Both test accuracy and very short intervals between testing and results were important factors for young people when deciding whether to undergo a routine test for asymptomatic chlamydia, with test accuracy being more important. These findings should assist technology developers, policymakers, commissioners and service providers to optimise technology adoption in service redesign, although use of an online panel may limit generalisability of findings to other populations

Need for Aeromedical Evacuation High-Level Containment Transport Guidelines

Circumstances exist that call for the aeromedical evacuation high-level containment transport (AE-HLCT) of patients with highly hazardous communicable diseases. A small number of organizations maintain AE-HLCT capabilities, and little is publicly available regarding the practices. The time is ripe for the development of standards and consensus guidelines involving AE-HLCT

Effect of atomic layer deposition on the quality factor of silicon nanobeam cavities

In this work we study the effect of thin-film deposition on the quality factor (Q) of silicon nanobeam cavities. We observe an average increase in the Q of 38±31% in one sample and investigate the dependence of this increase on the initial nanobeam hole sizes. We note that this process can be used to modify cavities that have larger than optimal hole sizes following fabrication. Additionally, the technique allows the tuning of the cavity mode wavelength and the incorporation of new materials, without significantly degrading Q

Presence of CD8+ T Cells in the Ectocervical Mucosa Correlates with Genital Viral Shedding in HIV-Infected Women despite a Low Prevalence of HIV RNA–Expressing Cells in the Tissue

The female genital tract is a portal of entry for sexual HIV transmission and a possible viral reservoir. In this study, the ectocervical CD8+ T cell distribution was explored in situ and was related to expression of CD3 and HLA-DR and presence of HIV RNA. For this purpose, ectocervical tissue samples and genital secretions were collected from HIV-seropositive (HIV+) Kenyan female sex workers (FSWs) (n = 20), HIV-seronegative (HIV−) FSWs (n = 17), and HIV− lower-risk women (n = 21). Cell markers were assessed by in situ staining and by quantitative PCR. HIV RNA expression in tissue was analyzed by in situ hybridization, and viral shedding was assessed by quantitative PCR. The HIV+FSW group had a higher amount of total cells and CD8+, CD3+, and HLA-DR+ cells compared with the HIV−FSW group and HIV− lower-risk women. The majority of CD8+ cells were CD3+ T cells, and the numbers of CD8+ cells correlated significantly with plasma and cervical viral load. HIV RNA expression in situ was found in 4 of the 20 HIV+FSW women but did not correlate with cervical or plasma viral load. Thus, the HIV+ women displayed high numbers of CD8+, CD3+, and HLA-DR+ cells, as well as a limited number of HIV RNA+ cells, in their ectocervical mucosa; hence, this localization cannot be neglected as a potential viral reservoir. The elevated levels of CD8+ T cells may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of HIV in the female genital tract

Presence of CD8+ T Cells in the Ectocervical Mucosa Correlates with Genital Viral Shedding in HIV-Infected Women despite a Low Prevalence of HIV RNA–Expressing Cells in the Tissue

The female genital tract is a portal of entry for sexual HIV transmission and a possible viral reservoir. In this study, the ectocervical CD8+ T cell distribution was explored in situ and was related to expression of CD3 and HLA-DR and presence of HIV RNA. For this purpose, ectocervical tissue samples and genital secretions were collected from HIV-seropositive (HIV+) Kenyan female sex workers (FSWs) (n = 20), HIV-seronegative (HIV−) FSWs (n = 17), and HIV− lower-risk women (n = 21). Cell markers were assessed by in situ staining and by quantitative PCR. HIV RNA expression in tissue was analyzed by in situ hybridization, and viral shedding was assessed by quantitative PCR. The HIV+FSW group had a higher amount of total cells and CD8+, CD3+, and HLA-DR+ cells compared with the HIV−FSW group and HIV− lower-risk women. The majority of CD8+ cells were CD3+ T cells, and the numbers of CD8+ cells correlated significantly with plasma and cervical viral load. HIV RNA expression in situ was found in 4 of the 20 HIV+FSW women but did not correlate with cervical or plasma viral load. Thus, the HIV+ women displayed high numbers of CD8+, CD3+, and HLA-DR+ cells, as well as a limited number of HIV RNA+ cells, in their ectocervical mucosa; hence, this localization cannot be neglected as a potential viral reservoir. The elevated levels of CD8+ T cells may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of HIV in the female genital tract