A Shared Space: The Collaborative Alliance Between the College of Charleston Special Collections and the South Carolina Historical Society Archives

In December 2014, the South Carolina Historical Society relocated nearly 5,000 linear feet of manuscript material and more than 3,000 rare books and monographs to a shared space within the Special Collections department at the College of Charleston’s Addlestone Library. Exploration of the antecedents and evolution of this partnership between a private non-profit manuscript archive and a public academic repository can demonstrate lessons learned from the process of condensing archival spaces and personnel to create a deeply rich repository for research and inquiry. In the absence of a formula or analytical framework for the envisioned collaboration, stakeholders at each institution relied on standards, best practices, and case studies in the fields of archives and libraries, while breaking new ground in the realms of management and long-term stewardship of and access to archival materials. In this article, contributors from both partner organizations discuss the deployment of project management strategies, creation of workflows to prepare facilities and relocate collections, communication, coordination of publicity, and solutions to challenges encountered during the initial twenty-four months of the partnership. Contributors also offer takeaways that may prove helpful to other archivists and allied professions facing analogous change scenarios

Evaluation of Barrier Sprays in Eastern North Carolina

Presented for World Environmental Health Day, September 26, 2016 in Greenville, North Carolina.Suspend® Polyzone® (deltamethrin) and Bifen Insecticide/Termiticide (bifenthrin) were evaluated in two eastern North Carolina neighborhoods from May 18 – Oct 19, 2015 (23 weeks). Lots were sprayed every 21 days. At 17 fixed locations (13 treatment, four control), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CO2-baited traps were deployed overnight, once/week. Oviposition traps were also deployed weekly and remained for seven days to measure Aedes albopictus abundance. Mosquitoes were identified to species and tabulated by location and week. Adult and egg abundance was generally significantly higher in control versus treatment traps. The abundance of Psorophora columbiae and Ae. vexans was significantly higher in control versus treatment traps. Bifenthrin and deltamethrin showed differences in efficacy (e.g. Ae. vexans, An. punctipennis, and Ps. ferox abundance was higher in bifenthrin traps compared to deltamethrin and control traps), but this varied across neighborhoods and species.This study was funded by Bayer Crop Science and The Mosquito Authorit

Method to Enhance the Operation of an Optical Inspection Instrument Using Spatial Light Modulators

For many aspheric and freeform optical components, existing interferometric solutions require a custom computer-generated hologram (CGH) to characterize the part. The overall objective of this research is to develop hardware and a procedure to produce a combined, dynamic, Hartmann/ Digital Holographic interferometry inspection system for a wide range of advanced optical components, including aspheric and freeform optics. This new instrument would have greater versatility and dynamic range than currently available measurement systems. The method uses a spatial light modulator to pre-condition wavefronts for imaging, interferometry, and data processing to improve the resolution and versatility of an optical inspection instrument. Existing interferometers and Hartmann inspection systems have either too small a dynamic range or insufficient resolution to characterize conveniently unusual optical surfaces like aspherical and freeform optics. For interferometers, a specially produced, computer-generated holographic optical element is needed to transform the wavefront to within the range of the interferometer. A new hybrid wavefront sensor employs newly available spatial light modulators (SLMs) as programmable holographic optical elements (HOEs). The HOE is programmed to enable the same instrument to inspect an optical element in stages, first by a Hartmann measurement, which has a very large dynamic range but less resolution. The first measurement provides the information required to precondition a reference wave that avails the measurement process to the more precise phase shifting interferometry. The SLM preconditions a wavefront before it is used to inspect an optical component. This adds important features to an optical inspection system, enabling not just wavefront conditioning for null testing and dynamic range extension, but also the creation of hybrid measurement procedures. This, for example, allows the combination of dynamic digital holography and Hartmann sensing procedures to cover a virtually unlimited dynamic range with high resolution. Digital holography technology brings all of the power and benefits of digital holographic interferometry to the requirement, while Hartmann-type wavefront sensors bring deflectometry technologies to the solution. The SLM can be used to generate arbitrary wavefronts in one leg of the interferometer, thereby greatly simplifying its use and extending its range. The SLM can also be used to modify the system into a dynamic Shack-Hartmann system, which is useful for optical components with large amounts of slope. By integrating these capabilities into a single instrument, the system will have tremendous flexibility to measure a variety of optical shapes accurately

Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Carmel Development Municipal Utility District 2 Project, Travis County, Texas

At the request of Carmel Devco, Inc., Pape-Dawson conducted an intensive archaeological survey of the eastern portion of the proposed Carmel Development Project in northeastern Travis County, Texas. The project involves the construction of a new municipal utility district (MUD 2) within the 341-acre (138.1- hectare [ha]) project area. No impacts are planned adjacent to or within the floodplain of Wilbarger Creek and its tributaries, which composes approximately 70 acres (28.3 ha) of MUD 2. Thus, archaeological investigations were conducted within the remaining 271.4 acres (109.8 ha). The depths of impacts vary, but typically road construction impacts are 4 to 5 feet (ft) (1.22 to 1.52 meters [m]) deep, while underground utility installations may impact up to 12 ft (3.66 m) deep. A MUD is a political subdivision of the State of Texas authorized by the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality to provide water, sewage, drainage, and other services within the MUD boundaries. Based on MUD 2’s status as a political subdivision of the state, compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas is necessary. As no federal funding or permitting is anticipated for this project, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) will not be necessary. The investigation was conducted in compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas under Antiquities Permit No. 7519. The purpose of the investigations was to identify all historic or prehistoric cultural resources located within the project area and to evaluate the significance and eligibility of identified resources for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL). All work was done in accordance with the archaeological survey standards and guidelines as developed by the Council of Texas Archaeologists (CTA) and adopted by the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The investigations included a cultural resources background literature and records review and an intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing. The background review revealed that portions of the project area have been previously surveyed, and two previously recorded sites (41TV2521 and 41TV2522) are within the project area. In addition, the Pfluger Cemetery (commemorated by an Official Texas Historical Marker) is adjacent to the project area, along with site 41TV2453. Pape Dawson’s intensive archaeological survey included pedestrian survey and the excavation of 68 shovel tests on January 28 and 29, February 2 and 3, and June 7, 8, 15, and 16, 2016. The survey encountered extensive agricultural fields affording greater than 30 percent ground surface visibility; therefore, did not meet the CTA/THC standards, which require 1 shovel test per 3 acres for a project of this size. A total of ten shovel tests was positive for cultural material. Two previously recorded sites (41TV2521 and 41TV2522) were revisited and combined along with a third locus into one larger site, 41TV2521. In addition, archaeological site 41TV2527 and one isolated find were newly documented. Investigations found no evidence that adjacent site 41TV2453 extended into the project area. Sites 41TV2521 and 41TV2527 are likely part of the same historic landscape and date from the late-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. Archival research indicates these sites are associated with the Bohls and Dossmann families and their tenants or laborers. Sites 41TV2521 and 41TV2527 were evaluated according to the criteria in 13 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 26.10. Both sites were recorded based upon encountering shallowly buried cultural material in shovel tests or on the surface in a disturbed context and each site lacks intact features. Neither site possesses unique or rare attributes concerning Texas history or has the potential to contribute to a better understanding of Texas history by the addition of new and important information. Archival research did not identify any specific individuals associated with sites 41TV2521 and 41TV2527 that are significant on the local or national level. Based on these criteria, neither site is recommended eligible for designation as an SAL, and Pape-Dawson recommends no further archaeological work at sites 41TV2521 and 41TV2527. Diagnostic artifacts, project records, and photographs will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University

A service evaluation of phased- and stepped-care psychological support for health and social care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected the mental health of health and social care workers (HSCWs), with many experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological interventions have been offered via mental health services and in-house psychology teams, but their effectiveness in this context is not well documented. AIMS: To evaluate a stepped-care psychological support pathway for HSCWs from Homerton Healthcare Foundation Trust in London, which offered psychological first aid, evidence-based psychological therapies and group-based well-being workshops. METHOD: The service evaluation used a pre-post approach to assess depression, anxiety, functional impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder symptom change for those who attended sessions of psychological first aid, low- or high-intensity cognitive-behavioural therapy or a combination of these. In addition, the acceptability of the psychological first aid sessions and well-being workshops was explored via feedback data. RESULTS: Across all interventions, statistically significant reductions of depression (d = 1.33), anxiety (d = 1.37) and functional impairment (d = 0.93) were observed, and these reductions were equivalent between the interventions, as well as the demographic and occupational differences between the HSCWs (ethnicity, staff group and redeployment status). HSCWs were highly satisfied with the psychological first aid and well-being workshops. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation supports the utility of evidence-based interventions delivered as part of a stepped-care pathway for HSCWs with common mental health problems in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the novel integration of psychological first aid within the stepped-care model as a step one intervention, replication and further testing in larger-scale studies is warranted

Adaptations of Lumbar Biomechanics after Four Weeks of Running Training with Minimalist Footwear and Technique guidance: Implications for Running-Related Lower Back Pain

Objectives To investigate the changes in lumbar kinematic and paraspinal muscle activation before, during, and after a 4-week minimalist running training. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting University research laboratory. Participants Seventeen habitually shod recreational runners who run 10–50 km per week. Main outcome measures During stance phases of running, sagittal lumbar kinematics was recorded using an electrogoniometer, and activities of the lumbar paraspinal muscles were assessed by electromyography. Runners were asked to run at a prescribed speed (3.1 m/s) and a self-selected speed. Results For the 3.1 m/s running speed, significant differences were found in the calculated mean lumbar posture (p = 0.001) during the stance phase, including a more extended lumbar posture after minimalist running training. A significant reduction in the contralateral lumbar paraspinal muscle activation was also observed (p = 0.039). For the preferred running speed, similar findings of a more extended lumbar posture (p = 0.002) and a reduction in contralateral lumbar paraspinal muscle activation (p = 0.047) were observed. Conclusion A 4-week minimalist running training program produced significant changes in lumbar biomechanics during running. Specifically, runners adopted a more extended lumbar posture and reduced lumbar paraspinal muscle activation. These findings may have clinical implications for treating individuals with running-related lower back pain

Predicting Maximal Oxygen Uptake Using the 3-Minute All-Out Test in High-Intensity Functional Training Athletes

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and critical speed (CS) are key fatigue-related measurements that demonstrate a relationship to one another and are indicative of athletic endurance performance. This is especially true for those that participate in competitive fitness events. However, the accessibility to a metabolic analyzer to accurately measure VO2max is expensive and time intensive, whereas CS may be measured in the field using a 3 minute all-out test (3MT). PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between VO2max and CS in high-intensity functional training (HIFT) athletes. METHODS: Twenty-five male and female (age: 27.6 ± 4.5 years; height: 174.5 ± 18.3 cm; weight: 77.4 ± 14.8 kg; body fat: 15.7 ± 6.5%) HIFT athletes performed a 3MT as well as a graded exercise test with 48 h between measurements. True VO2max was determined using a square-wave supramaximal verification phase and CS was measured as the average speed of the last 30 s of the 3MT. RESULTS: A statistically significant and positive correlation was observed between relative VO2max and CS values (r = 0.819, p \u3c 0.001). Based on the significant correlation, a linear regression analysis was completed, including sex, in order to develop a VO2max prediction equation (VO2max (mL/kg/min) = 8.449(CS) + 4.387(F = 0, M = 1) + 14.683; standard error of the estimate = 3.34 mL/kg/min). Observed (47.71 ± 6.54 mL/kg/min) and predicted (47.71 ± 5.7 mL/kg/min) VO2max values were compared using a dependent t-test and no significant difference was displayed between the observed and predicted values (p = 1.000). The typical error, coefficient of variation, and intraclass correlation coefficient were 2.26 mL/kg/min, 4.90%, and 0.864, respectively. CONCLUSION: The positive and significant relationship between VO2max and CS suggests that the 3MT may be a practical alternative to predicting maximal oxygen uptake when time and access to a metabolic analyzer is limited