Assessment of Archeological Site 41CP221, Found during Construction of FM 1520 in Camp County, Texas

On January 7, 1993, the Texas Department of Transportation (Tx DoT) learned that prehistoric archeological materials had been reportedly unearthed during improvements to highway FM 1520 in Camp County. As the project was being undertaken with State funds, Tx DoT, in compliance with the Texas Antiquities Code, ordered a cessation of work in the immediate area until the archeological significance of the area could be evaluated. Evaluation included surface examination, shovel testing and gradall scraping. This report briefly describes the site area, work conducted, and artifacts recovered. It also discusses the results of the fieldwork and makes recommendations concerning resumption of road improvements. Based on the field observations, road construction clearly encountered prehistoric cultural materials. A prehistoric ceramic assemblage appears to date to the Caddo Titus Focus, though the general small size of the sherds makes it difficult to identify the recovered sherds positively with specific Titus Focus pottery types. A prehistoric lithic assemblage is probably associated with the prehistoric ceramics, though the comparison of one lithic piece with a Carrollton dart point, generally associated with the middle Archaic, could be used to argue for an earlier component, perhaps located slightly west of and uphill from the ceramic assemblage. A few historic artifacts could date to virtually any part of the twentieth century. Largely recovered from old cut faces adjacent to a ditch south of the existing road, the historic artifacts appear to represent casual roadside disposal rather than a historic occupation site. Investigations revealed that some areas of soil undisturbed by present road construction still existed within the right-of-way. However, observations did not indicate any in situ cultural features or undisturbed cultural deposits. Observation of the field north of the new right-of-way revealed extensive historic terracing, which undoubtedly continued into what is now the northern edge of the highway right-of-way. This terracing, and associated cultivation, has almost certainly disturbed most of the surface soils in the vicinity; no developed A-horizons were observed within the right-of-way. Thus, it was concluded that the likelihood of in situ deposits within the right-of way is probably remote, though an occasional isolated feature may still survive. At the present time the majority of surface-disturbing construction has been completed. This includes the removal of ground surfaces prior to depositing fill to raise the new road bed, and digging of ditches at the side of the new road. Remaining work consists almost entirely of depositing more fill for the new road bed and adjacent shoulders, road surfacing, removal of existing pavement, and sodding of the existing cut banks to the road to reduce erosion. It is recommended, therefore, that construction be allowed to proceed without further archeological investigations. If any additional surface disturbing activities remain, the work will be monitored by an archeologist

ETD on small intact proteins in an ultra high resolution quadrupole TOF mass spectrometer

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Siliceous microfossil succession in the recent history of Green Bay, Lake Michigan

Quantitative analysis of siliceous microfossils in a 210 Pb dated core from Green Bay of Lake Michigan shows clear evidence of eutrophication, but a different pattern of population succession than observed in the main deposition basins of the Great Lakes. Sediments deposited prior to extensive European settlement ( ca A.D. 1850) contain high relative abundance of chrysophyte cysts and benthic diatoms. Quantity and composition of microfossils deposited during the pre-settlement period represented in our core is quite uniform, except for the 30–32 cm interval which contains elevated microfossil abundance and particularly high levels of attached benthic species. Total microfossil abundance and the proportion of planktonic diatoms begins to increase ca 1860 and rises very rapidly beginning ca 1915. Maximum abundance occurs in sediments deposited during the 1970's, with a secondary peak in the late 1940's — early 1950's. Increased total abundance is accompanied by increased dominance of taxa tolerant of eutrophic conditions, however indigenous oligotrophic taxa, particularly those which are most abundant during the summer, are not eliminated from the flora, as in the lower Great Lakes. It appears that a combination of silica resupply from high riverine loadings and replacement of indigenous populations by periodic intrusions of Lake Michigan water allow sequential co-existence of species usually exclusively associated with either eutrophic or oligotrophic conditions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43092/1/10933_2004_Article_BF00153737.pd

Siliceous microfossil distribution in the surficial sediments of Lake Baikal

Examination of surficial sediments at 16 stations shows minor, but consistent differences in the numbers and kinds of siliceous microfossils deposited in different regions of Lake Baikal. There is a general north-south decreasing trend in total microfossil abundance on a weight basis. Endemic plankton diatom species are the most abundant component of assemblages at all stations. Chrysophyte cysts are present at all stations, but most forms are more abundant at northern stations. Non-endemic plankton diatom species are most abundant at southern stations. Small numbers of benthic diatoms and sponge spicules are found in all samples. Although low numbers are present in offshore sediments, the benthic diatom flora is very diverse. Principal components analysis confirms primary north-south abundance trends and suggests further differentiation by station location and depth.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43071/1/10933_2004_Article_BF00682594.pd

Structure, Dynamics, and Phase Transitions in the Fullerene Derivatives C_{60}O and C_{61}H_{2}

The effect of perturbing the icosohedral symmetry of C60 by the addition of the side groups -O and -CH2 upon orientational order-disorder and glass transitions in solid C60 has been studied by a combination of high-resolution capacitance dilatometry and single-crystal x-ray and powder inelastic neutron scattering. Both fullerene derivatives C60O (epoxide) and C61H2 (6,5-annulene) are shown to undergo a sequence of transitions similar to that found in pure C60, i.e., a first-order orientational ordering transition just below room temperature followed by an orientational glass transition at lower temperatures. Although the exact origin of the glass transition in C61H2 is unclear, the glass transition in C60O has the same origin as that in C60, with a significantly higher degree of order due to a larger energy difference between pentagon and hexagon orientations. The dilatometric data at the glass transition indicate that, in contrast to C60, the ground-state orientation of both C60O and C61H2 molecules is that with the smallest volume, also demonstrating a significant influence of the side groups upon the details of the structure. A possible explanation of these differences in terms of steric effects is proposed

Barriers and facilitators to diabetes screening and prevention after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing in the United States, with higher rates among minoritized racial and ethnic populations and lower income populations. GDM increases risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and postpartum diabetes screening and prevention are imperative. This qualitative study examines barriers and facilitators to postpartum T2DM screening and prevention among non-privately insured individuals with a history of GDM in a state prior to Medicaid expansion. METHODS: Thirty-six non-privately insured women with a history of GDM completed semi-structured interviews. Four focus groups and seven interviews were conducted with 30 nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, nurses and registered dietitians from Federally Qualified Health Centers in St. Louis, MO. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using an integrative thematic analysis informed by the socio-ecological model. RESULTS: Barriers and facilitators to T2DM screening and prevention occur across multiple environments (society, healthcare system, interpersonal, and individual). Societal barriers include insurance issues, unemployment, and lack of transportation, childcare, safe housing, and healthy food access, while facilitators include government sponsored programs and community organizations. Healthcare system barriers include care fragmentation, scheduling policies and time constraints while facilitators include care coordination, pregnancy support groups, and education materials. Interpersonal barriers include negative care experiences, cultural differences, communication challenges, competing priorities, and lack of a social support network, while facilitators include family and friend support and positive care experiences. Individual barriers include health complications and unhealthy food and exercise patterns, while facilitators include child wellbeing, empowered attitudes and healthy food and exercise patterns. CONCLUSIONS: The socioecological model highlights the societal and systemic determinants that encompass individual and interpersonal factors affecting postpartum T2DM screening and prevention. This framework can inform multi-level interventions to increase postpartum T2DM screening and prevention in this high-risk population, including policy changes to alleviate higher-level barriers

Phenoloxidase activity acts as a mosquito innate immune response against infection with semliki forest virus

Several components of the mosquito immune system including the RNA interference (RNAi), JAK/STAT, Toll and IMD pathways have previously been implicated in controlling arbovirus infections. In contrast, the role of the phenoloxidase (PO) cascade in mosquito antiviral immunity is unknown. Here we show that conditioned medium from the Aedes albopictus-derived U4.4 cell line contains a functional PO cascade, which is activated by the bacterium Escherichia coli and the arbovirus Semliki Forest virus (SFV) (Togaviridae; Alphavirus). Production of recombinant SFV expressing the PO cascade inhibitor Egf1.0 blocked PO activity in U4.4 cell- conditioned medium, which resulted in enhanced spread of SFV. Infection of adult female Aedes aegypti by feeding mosquitoes a bloodmeal containing Egf1.0-expressing SFV increased virus replication and mosquito mortality. Collectively, these results suggest the PO cascade of mosquitoes plays an important role in immune defence against arboviruses

Comparison of three wet-alkaline methods of digestion of biogenic silica in water

Methods for determination of low levels of biogenic silica (0.2–0.4 mg SiO 2 ) in aqueous samples after digestion with three wetalkaline extraction procedures compared favourably in both precision of replicates and recovery of silica utilized by diatoms in budgeted cultures. Leaching samples with 0.2 M NaOH for 10–15 min at 100°C was the least time consuming procedure. Also interference from silicate minerals was lower for this method than leaching with either 0.5 or 5% Na 2 CO 3 for 2 h at 85°C. The use of filters to concentrate samples enables detection of low levels of biogenic silica with colorimetric procedures. Polycarbonate filters are recommended in preference to cellulose acetate or polyvinyl chloride filters for sample collection. Time-course experiments are recommended for establishing digestion times and determining the presence of mineral silicate interference. Wet-alkaline digestion methods are recommended for routine analysis of biogenic silica in suspended matter in preference to infra-red analysis, alkaline fusion and hydrofluoric acid/nitric acid methods.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74725/1/j.1365-2427.1983.tb00658.x.pd

Revealing the last 13,500 years of environmental history from the multiproxy record of a mountain lake (Lago Enol, northern Iberian Peninsula)

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10933-009-9387-7.We present the Holocene sequence from Lago Enol (43°16′N, 4°59′W, 1,070 m a.s.l.), Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain. A multiproxy analysis provided comprehensive information about regional humidity and temperature changes. The analysis included sedimentological descriptions, physical properties, organic carbon and carbonate content, mineralogy and geochemical composition together with biological proxies including diatom and ostracod assemblages. A detailed pollen study enabled reconstruction of variations in vegetation cover, which were interpreted in the context of climate changes and human impact. Four distinct stages were recognized for the last 13,500 years: (1) a cold and dry episode that includes the Younger Dryas event (13,500–11,600 cal. year BP); (2) a humid and warmer period characterizing the onset of the Holocene (11,600–8,700 cal. year BP); (3) a tendency toward a drier climate during the middle Holocene (8,700–4,650 cal. year BP); and (4) a return to humid conditions following landscape modification by human activity (pastoral activities, deforestation) in the late Holocene (4,650–2,200 cal. year BP). Superimposed on relatively stable landscape conditions (e.g. maintenance of well established forests), the typical environmental variability of the southern European region is observed at this site.The Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT), the Spanish National Parks agency, the European Commission, the Spanish Ministry of Science, and the European Social Fund

Revealing the last 13,500 years of environmental history from the multiproxy record of a mountain lake (Lago Enol, northern Iberian Peninsula)

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10933-009-9387-7.We present the Holocene sequence from Lago Enol (43°16′N, 4°59′W, 1,070 m a.s.l.), Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain. A multiproxy analysis provided comprehensive information about regional humidity and temperature changes. The analysis included sedimentological descriptions, physical properties, organic carbon and carbonate content, mineralogy and geochemical composition together with biological proxies including diatom and ostracod assemblages. A detailed pollen study enabled reconstruction of variations in vegetation cover, which were interpreted in the context of climate changes and human impact. Four distinct stages were recognized for the last 13,500 years: (1) a cold and dry episode that includes the Younger Dryas event (13,500–11,600 cal. year BP); (2) a humid and warmer period characterizing the onset of the Holocene (11,600–8,700 cal. year BP); (3) a tendency toward a drier climate during the middle Holocene (8,700–4,650 cal. year BP); and (4) a return to humid conditions following landscape modification by human activity (pastoral activities, deforestation) in the late Holocene (4,650–2,200 cal. year BP). Superimposed on relatively stable landscape conditions (e.g. maintenance of well established forests), the typical environmental variability of the southern European region is observed at this site.The Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT), the Spanish National Parks agency, the European Commission, the Spanish Ministry of Science, and the European Social Fund