Cultural Resources Survey of Two Atascosa County Bridges, Atascosa County, Texas

Cultural resource investigations were conducted by SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) for the proposed replacement of two bridges located in Atascosa County for TCB INC. on behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). These two project areas consist of the Byrd Road at Lucas Creek crossing in northeastern Atascosa County and the Jim Brite Road at Atascosa River crossing in eastern Atascosa County. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) issued Texas Antiquities Permit 4401 to SWCA to conduct the cultural resource investigations, which were designed to identify and evaluate any archaeological sites eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or that might warrant designation as a State Archeological Landmark (SAL). Investigations consisted of a background literature and records review and a pedestrian survey with shovel testing of relatively intact areas for both project locations. The background literature and records review revealed that neither of the project areas (i.e., Jim Brite Road at the Atascosa River or Byrd Road at Lucas Creek) have been previously surveyed and that no archaeological sites are within or near the project areas. The Leal Cemetery is located about 1.2 miles north of the Jim Brite Road project area, which could date to the occupation of nearby town of Leal between 1850s and 1860s. However, this cemetery will not be affected by the proposed project. The investigation of the two bridge crossings primarily encountered extremely constricted and disturbed right-of-way (ROW) with no cultural materials identified during the pedestrian survey or in the shovel test excavations. In accordance with 36 CRF 800.4, SWCA has made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify archeological historic properties within the Area of Potential Effects (APE). The proposed replacement of the two bridges in Atascosa County will impact previously disturbed areas with no significant cultural properties. Thus, the proposed project will not affect any cultural resources. As no properties were identified that meet the criteria for listing in the NRHP according to 36 CFR 60.4 or for designation as an SAL according to 13 TAC 26.12, SWCA recommends no further investigations for these project areas. No artifacts were collected. Therefore, nothing was curated

Cultural Resources Survey Of Woman Hollering Creek Bridge, Bexar County, Texas

Cultural resource investigations were conducted by SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) for TCB INC. on behalf of a private developer and in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a culvert replacement project located in eastern Bexar County, Texas. This project area consists of the bridge culvert situated on Farm-to-Market (FM) 1518 at Woman Hollering Creek near Schertz, Texas. The private developer proposes to replace the existing bridge culvert with a concrete slab bridge that would encompass a distance of 200 feet (60 m) along each approach. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) issued Texas Antiquities Permit 4496 to SWCA to conduct the cultural resource investigations, which were designed to identify and evaluate any archaeological sites eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or that might warrant designation as a State Archeological Landmark (SAL). The background literature and records review determined that the project area has not been surveyed for archaeological resources nor are there any cultural resources documented within or adjacent to the project area. One survey was conducted about 1.1 miles north of the project crossing, which did not encounter any sites within a mile of the project (Atlas abstract). One site (41BX1667) is recorded about 0.9 miles southwest of the crossing that is an unknown prehistoric campsite containing scattered burned rock and lithic debitage. The NRHP eligibility status for this site has not been clearly determined. Regardless, this site will not be affected by the proposed project. During the SWCA survey, four shovel tests were used to investigate the Area of Potential Effects (APE). These investigations of the bridge crossing primarily encountered extremely disturbed right-of-way (ROW). The project area has been impacted from road construction and continued maintenance while the surrounding areas have been disturbed by residential development and agricultural activities. No cultural materials were identified during the pedestrian survey or in the shovel test excavations. In accordance with 36 CRF 800.4, SWCA has made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify archeological historic properties within the APE. The proposed replacement of the bridge in eastern Bexar County will impact previously disturbed areas with no significant cultural properties. Thus, the proposed project will not affect any cultural resources. As no properties were identified that meet the criteria for listing in the NRHP according to 36 CFR 60.4 or for designation as an SAL according to 13 TAC 26.12, SWCA recommends no further investigations for this project area. No artifacts were collected. Therefore, nothing was curated

Recalibrated Chronological Framework for Texas Archaeology-Geoarchaeology

Radiocarbon assays from select archaeological-geoarchaeological research projects within Texas river basins were compiled and recalibrated using the same calibration curve (i.e., INTCAL09). Chronometric data from investigations within the Nueces, San Antonio, Colorado, Brazos, and Trinity River basins were uniformly calibrated to construct a consistent chronological framework. Once calibrated, the analogous chronometric data were then used to compare drainage basins, paleoenvironmental data, and cultural chronologies across Texas and the region. These comparisons revealed four periods (Synchronous Events I–IV) in the Holocene that occurred simultaneously within all of the examined drainage basins. Synchronous Event I dating to 8,750–8,250 cal yr BP (~6800–6300 BC), Synchronous Event II dating to 7,000–6,250 cal yr BP (~5050–4300 BC), and Synchronous Event III 5,250–5,000 cal yr BP (~3300–3050 BC) are apparent periods of instability. While Synchronous Event IV occurs at 1,000–750 cal yr BP (~AD 950–1200) represents a period of stability. These events may be attributed to previously identified widespread climatic changes and seemingly coincide with several transitions in the archaeological record

Intensive Archeological Survey of the Dairy Farm Road at Palo Pinto Creek, Palo Pinto County, Texas.

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with mechanical trenching on September 19, 2017, of 1 acre of existing right-of-way (ROW) along Dairy Farm Road in Palo Pinto County, Texas. Because the project will receive funding from the Federal Highways Administration, it qualifies as an undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 800.16(y) and, therefore, survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S. Code 306108). Furthermore, the project must also comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code 191). Jon Budd served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8132. The area of potential effects (APE) is defined as the existing 80-foot-wide Dairy Farm ROW beginning 250 feet east of the Palo Pinto Creek waterline and extending 500 feet west. According to project design, the depth of impacts will be up to 50 feet below the current ground surface for the bridge supports, 12 feet for the bridge headers, and 3 feet for the approaches. A background literature review determined that the APE has not previously been surveyed for cultural resources and no archeological sites, historical markers, or cemeteries are within 0.6 mile (1 kilometer) of the APE. The field investigation of the proposed project APE consisted of five backhoe trench (BHT) excavations and one column sample. The existing ROW has been modified by the construction of Dairy Farm Road and an earlier roadway that parallels Dairy Farm Road. Portions of the ROW consist of short grasses, naturally overgrown vegetation, and mixed hardwoods. SWCA identified three faunal element fragments (deer) in BHT01 and BHT05. The two deer fragments in BHT01 were encountered in association with a tin can (modern) in a disturbed context, while the single deer fragment in BHT05 was subsequently investigated with a column sample. No cultural materials or features were identified in the column sample. Overall, no prehistoric or historic cultural resources were identified in the proposed project APE. The investigations also encountered a buried soil in BHTS 02 through 05, which was negative for cultural materials. This buried soil is similar to that described by previous investigators along Palo Pinto Creek that has been tentatively interpreted to be contemporaneous with the West Fork Paleosol, which was deposited about 1,000 to 2,000 years ago. SWCA made a reasonable and good faith effort as per 36 CFR Part 800.4(b)(1) to identify and locate prehistoric and historic archeological properties within the proposed project APE. The field investigation discovered no cultural resources; therefore, SWCA recommends that a finding of “no historic properties affected” be made for the current undertaking

Intensive Archeological Survey of Burleson-Retta Road at Village Creek, Tarrant County, Texas

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with mechanical trenching on September 18, 2017, of 8.8 acres of new and existing right-of-way (ROW) along BurlesonRetta Road in Tarrant County, Texas. Because the project will receive funding from the Federal Highways Administration, it qualifies as an undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 800.16(y) and, therefore, survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S. Code 306108). Furthermore, the project must also comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code 191). Kevin Hanselka served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8097. The area of potential effects (APE) is defined as a total of 8.8 acres comprising the bridge, new approaches on either side of the bridge, as well as 2.39 acres of new ROW. A background literature review determined that the APE has not previously been surveyed for cultural resources and no archeological sites, historical markers, or State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs) are within 0.6 miles (1 km) of the APE. One possible cemetery is located approximately 0.17 miles south of the APE on the western side of Village Creek. The survey identified substantial disturbances within the APE, including prior infrastructure development, such as utilities and bridge construction, and a variety of other land use practices. SWCA assessed the entire 8.8-acre survey area, but focused on the 2.39 acres of proposed new ROW. SWCA excavated four backhoe trenches to assess the potential for deeply buried cultural deposits. The survey identified deep subsurface disturbance close to Village Creek. Moderately intact soils were found away from the creek; however, these soils contained negligible potential for deeply buried cultural materials and these investigations identified no cultural resources. Due to the heavy disturbance observed throughout the existing ROW and the negligible potential for deeply buried deposits or intact cultural material, no further archeological investigations are recommended. SWCA recommends that a finding of “no historic properties affected” be made for the current undertak

Sensitivity Analysis of Launch Vehicle Debris Risk Model

As part of an analysis of the loss of crew risk associated with an ascent abort system for a manned launch vehicle, a model was developed to predict the impact risk of the debris resulting from an explosion of the launch vehicle on the crew module. The model consisted of a debris catalog describing the number, size and imparted velocity of each piece of debris, a method to compute the trajectories of the debris and a method to calculate the impact risk given the abort trajectory of the crew module. The model provided a point estimate of the strike probability as a function of the debris catalog, the time of abort and the delay time between the abort and destruction of the launch vehicle. A study was conducted to determine the sensitivity of the strike probability to the various model input parameters and to develop a response surface model for use in the sensitivity analysis of the overall ascent abort risk model. The results of the sensitivity analysis and the response surface model are presented in this paper

Anti-CTLA-4 (CD 152) monoclonal antibody-induced autoimmune interstitial nephritis

Targeted immune-modulating agents are entering clinical practice in many specialties, providing novel therapeutic possibilities but introducing new potential toxicities. We present the first reported case, to our knowledge, of immune-mediated nephritis following the administration of Tremelimumab (CP-675, 206), an anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibody. High-dose steroid therapy led to a rapid improvement in renal function, avoiding the need for renal replacement therapy.Peer reviewe

Intensive Archeological Survey: Farm-to-Market 45 from Richland Creek to Near Mills County Line, San Saba and Mills Counties, Texas

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with systematic shovel testing from July 10–14, 2017 of new and existing right-of-way (ROW) along Farm-to-Market (FM) 45 in San Saba and Mills Counties, Texas. Because the project will receive funding from the Federal Highways Administration, it qualifies as an undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800.16(y) and, therefore, survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S. Code 306108). Furthermore, the project must also comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code 191). Kevin Hanselka served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8096. The total area of potential effects (APE) is defined as a 12.5-mile-long stretch of FM 45 between the limits outlined above, and includes the existing 100- to 200-foot-wide ROW and an additional 84 acres of new ROW in discontinuous segments along both sides of existing ROW. The total project area is about 264.5 acres, of which about 178 acres is existing ROW, 84 acres is new ROW, and 2.5 acres is proposed easements. Typical depths of impact would range between 3 and 5 feet for pavement and vertical adjustments to the roadway profile. Maximum depths of impacts would reach up to 60 feet at bridge widening/replacement locations. Some areas would require significant (i.e., 5–15 foot) cuts in back slopes to accommodate the new roadway width. Background research determined that two cultural resources surveys have been previously conducted within the APE. Fourteen previously recorded archeological sites and 166 potentially historic structures are located within a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) radius of the current APE; of these, three archeological sites and three possible historic structures are located within the APE. The field investigations assessed all portions of the APE for which access was granted; however, right-of-entry was denied on 17.6 acres of new ROW. Consequently, the survey covered 246.9 acres of the total 264.5-acre APE. The investigations consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey supplemented with the excavation of 231 shovel tests and 15 backhoe trenches. The proposed ROW has been modified to varying degrees by modern land-use practices (e.g., farming and ranching) and infrastructure, but most areas are relatively intact. SWCA documented nine cultural resources, including five isolated finds, three prehistoric sites (41SS73, 41SS75, and 41MI2), and one historic archeological site (41SS197), within the FM 45 survey areas. Site 41SS197 is a historic residential site consisting of a standing chimney and artifact scatter. The artifacts included milk, clear, green and brown glass, whiteware, and miscellaneous metal. Based on information provided by the landowner, archival review, and temporally diagnostic artifact attributes, the site dates to the early through mid-twentieth century. Sites 41SS73, 41SS74, and 41MI2 are prehistoric lithic scatters with poor integrity and lacking substantial assemblages. Sites 41SS73, 41SS74, 41MI2, and 41SS197 are recommended as not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or as State Antiquities Landmarks within the current APE. For the surveyed portion of the APE, SWCA recommends a finding of “no historic properties affected” and no further archeological investigations. Cultural resources survey is recommended on 12 currently inaccessible parcels, once right of entry is obtained

FM 8 at Hog Creek, Eastland County, Texas Brownwood District

On March 11, 2015, and on behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), SWCA Environmental Consultants conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with systematic mechanical excavations at the Farm-to-Market (FM) 8 and Hog Creek crossing in Eastland County. These investigations for the Austin District were conducted for the proposed replacement of an existing bridge. The work was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 USC 306108) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 NRC 191). Jon Budd served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Code Permit No. 7140. The maximum depth of impacts is estimated to be up to 40 feet below the current ground surface for the bridge supports and 6 feet for the remainder of the project. The area of potential effects (APE) is therefore defined as the 126- to 210-foot-wide (38- to 64-meter [m]-wide) FM 8 right-of-way (ROW). There have been several surveys in the area, but no sites have been recorded in or immediately adjacent to the project area. In February 2011, AmaTerra surveyed the project area on behalf of TxDOT and recorded no cultural resources (Atlas 2015). However, the survey did not entail backhoe trenching, which is the reason for the current work. In 2013, Bill Moore with Brazos Valley Research Associates recorded site 41EA36, the Desdemona Jail, which was likely constructed in the early part of the 20th century and is located approximately 500 m east of the current survey area (Atlas 2015). Historical markers for Desdemona Cemetery (approximately 500 m east), Fort Blair C.S.A. (approximately 900 m east), and Desdemona First Baptist Church (approximately 1,338 m northeast) are located within a 1-mile radius of the project area (Atlas 2015). The ground surface was inspected for the entire APE and a total of four backhoe trenches were excavated, two BHTs were placed in the northeast quadrant and two BHTs were placed in the northwest quadrant of the FM 8 bridge crossing. Existing utilities precluded placement of additional trenches. The excavations encountered thick sands, silts, and clays in all trenches with some level of disturbance noted in all trenches. No cultural material was observed on the surface or within any of the backhoe trenches. As such, no further cultural resources investigations are recommended within the existing FM 8 ROW at Hog Creek