Priorities and Public Safety II: Adopting Effective Probation Practices

Outlines the structural problems of Massachusetts' corrections, the role of probation in public safety, best practices in community supervision in other states, and the elements of an evidence-based probation system, including inter-agency collaboration

Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Seton Home Campus Expansion, City of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

During November 2003, the Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an archaeological survey for a proposed 9.3-acre development at the Seton Home property in the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The Phase I survey consisted of a 100 percent pedestrian survey and the excavation of 24 shovel tests. A portion of previously recorded site 41BX1570 was investigated with six shovel tests, delimiting the southern boundary of the site. Moderate amounts of burned limestone, burned chert, and lithic debitage comprised the prehistoric artifact assemblage. During current and previous investigations, several modern artifacts were encountered with the prehistoric deposits throughout the vertical column to the terminal excavation depth of 70 centimeters below surface. The presence of these modern artifacts, in concert with evidence of significant historic subsurface disturbance, has provided adequate data to determine this site ineligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places or for listing as a State Archeological Landmark. Under the Scope of Work for the current project, archaeological monitoring of a subsurface utility line is specified. Location of the line is proposed at or near the northern property boundary separating Seton Home and St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home. Site 41BX1570 will be bisected by the utility line, regardless of alternative placement in the general vicinity. The excavation of the utility trench and the monitoring of these excavations will occur during the spring of 2004. The results of this monitoring will be reported within a separate letter report. However, this report is produced to summarize the results of the pedestrian survey and serves to provide for clearance of cultural resources only in the remainder of the project area. It is recommended that construction be allowed to proceed outside of the proposed utility corridor

Archaeological Survey of a Portion of the Proposed Castroville Regional Park Improvement and Expansion, City of Castroville, Medina County, Texas

During January 2004, the Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an archaeological survey of a selected portion (300 feet by 7 feet) of the proposed expansion and improvement of Castroville Regional Park in the City of Castroville, Medina County, Texas. The Phase I survey consisted of the excavation of six shovel tests. A single previously unrecorded prehistoric archaeological site (41ME134) was encountered atop a ridge landform. Abundant amounts of burned rock and lithic debitage, along with several tested cobbles, a few cores, and one non-diagnostic uniface were encountered at ground surface and within the upper 10 cm of shallow soils mantling the landform. Due to the primarily surficial nature of this site and the lack of cultural features, the Center for Archaeological Research recommends that site 41ME134 is ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or for designation as a State Archeological Landmark. It is therefore recommended that the proposed improvements proceed without further cultural resources investigations. This work was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 3328 with Steve A. Tomka serving as Principal Investigator. Burned rock collected from the site was discarded pursuant to Chapter 26.27(g)(2) of the Texas Administrative Code. All other artifacts collected during the survey are permanently housed at the Center for Archaeological Research curatorial facility

Archaeological Survey for the Proposed St. Peter-St. Joseph Children\u27s Home Expansion, City of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

During September 2003, the Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an archaeological survey for the proposed development of 3.17 acres at the St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home in the city of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The Phase I survey consisted of the excavation of 18 shovel tests. A single previously unrecorded prehistoric archaeological site (41BX1570) was encountered atop a terrace along a probable remnant channel of the San Antonio River. Moderate to abundant amounts of burned limestone, burned chert, and lithic debitage, along with two lithic tools comprised the prehistoric artifact assemblage. Four mechanically chipped lithic flakes were encountered with the prehistoric deposits throughout the vertical column to the terminal excavation depth of 70 centimeters below surface. The presence of these modern artifacts in concert with evidence of significant historic subsurface disturbance has provided adequate data to determine this site is not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places nor for listing as a State Archeological Landmark. It is therefore recommended that the proposed improvements proceed without further cultural resources investigations. All collected artifacts and records are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research permanent storage facility

EVA momentum as a performance measure in the United States lodging industry

Numerous measures and metrics are used to evaluate lodging unit and company performance, but no single measure has been identified that captures the financial performance of a lodging firm. EVA Momentum emerged in 2009 as the newest economic value added (EVA)-related business performance measure. The objective of this study was to understand the value of EVA Momentum as a performance measure in the U.S. lodging industry by: (a) comparing EVA Momentum in similar and dissimilar industries, (b) determining if EVA Momentum was related to future value, and (c) understanding if EVA Momentum was more highly related to future performance than were traditional financial performance measures. Compustat and evaDimensions financial data from 2001-2008 for U.S.-based hotel, restaurant, and REIT companies were used in this study. T-test results showed no statistically significant difference between lodging and restaurant EVA Momentum. ANOVA test results found lodging EVA Momentum was higher than for fixed asset-intensive REITs, but the results were not statistically significant. Regression results showed EVA Momentum was not related to future financial performance as measured by market capitalization or total capitalization. Regression results also showed EVA Momentum was more highly related to future performance than were return on assets, return on sales, and earnings per share for the pooled sample, but not for the individual lodging, restaurant, and REIT samples. This is the first known empirical study of EVA Momentum as a performance measure. The results of the study provided support for using EVA Momentum to compare company performance across different industries, but did not find that EVA Momentum was related to future financial performance. Using a pooled sample, EVA Momentum was shown to be more highly related to future financial performance than were three traditional financial measures

National Register Eligibility Testing of Site 41BO184, Brazoria County, Texas

Site 41BO184 is located within the right-of-way for the proposed expansion of State Highway 35 at the Oyster Creek crossing in southern Brazoria County. It was originally recorded as a multicomponent site in 1994 and was the subject of three distinct and limited archeological investigations by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) staff. In 2003, TxDOT contracted with the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio to test the National Register of Historic Places and State Archeological Landmark eligibility of the site. Systematic mechanical auger borings, ten hand-excavated 1-x-1-meter test units, and Gradall scrapings helped identify a very sparse Late Prehistoric, possibly Rockport, component at the site. Although it is possible that at least some of the prehistoric artifacts come from the shell-paved driveway that cross-cut the site, it is also possible that some of the prehistoric artifacts represent in situ finds. The historic component, rich in temporally diagnostic ceramic fragments, dates to the mid-nineteenth century. The lack of intact features, the small size of the artifact assemblage, and the reduced size of the available materials, severely limits the research potential of the site. Therefore, it is recommended that site 41BO184 is not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places nor does it warrant designation as a State Archeological Landmark

National Register Eligibility Testing of 41MM340 and 41MM341, along Little River, Milam County, Texas

From January through March 2000, the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted National Register of Historic Places eligibility testing for archaeological sites 41MM340 and 41MM341, under contract with Texas Department of Transportation. The investigations were conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 2319. The Phase II testing fieldwork consisted of excavation of 20 test units across both sites to investigate significant cultural deposits encountered during the previous survey phase. Four distinct stratified cultural zones at 41MM340 and at least two cultural zones at 41MM341 were identified during the testing efforts. In concert with the archaeological field investigations, the following special analyses and studies were performed to aid the determination of site integrity and eligibility: geoarchaeology, radiocarbon, lithic, aboriginal ceramic, vertebrate faunal, freshwater mussel shell, macrobotanical, pollen, phytolith, land snail shell, amino acid racemization, and diatom. The synthesis of these analyses has provided adequate data to determine temporal integrity and recommendation of National Register eligibility for both sites. Further cultural resources investigations in the form of Phase III data recovery excavations are thus recommended for both sites prior to development

What goes up must come down - or does it?

INTRODUCTION Head and neck cancer is the 7th most common cancer in the world with 1.1 million new diagnoses reported annually and 5.7% cancer related mortality. 90-95% of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Tracheostomy tube placement facilitates long-term ventilation in patients with upper airway obstructions, such as secondary to malignant masses. Both surgical and percutaneous methods can lead to late complications such as stenosis, malacia, the formation of tracheoesophageal (TE), and tracheocutaneous fistulas. However, regurgitation of tube feeds is a lesser known complication. CASE DESCRIPTION Patient is an elderly male with laryngeal SCC s/p radiation therapy (2020, 2022), laryngopharyngectomy (2022) and tracheoesophageal prosthesis placement (2023), known TE-fistula, G-tube dependence on tube feeds, and chronic pain on high dose opiates presenting with copious secretions via tracheostomy thought to be secondary to malignancy. He experienced ejection of his prosthesis in 2023 after an episode of severe coughing. Several days prior to presentation, a TE salivary bypass was placed to promote TE fistula healing. He re-presented to the Emergency Department with displacement of TE bypass tubing, which was found protruding from his mouth, after another episode of coughing earlier in the morning. Patient had continued to receive bolus G-tube feeds with occasional regurgitation but denied history of aspiration or pneumonia. He endorsed increased oral secretions leading to severe cough, subjective hypothermia, and a sensation of neck tightness. Vitals were significant for fever of 103.2 and an O2 requirement of 8 l/min via NC. On exam, patient was non-vocal but wrote on clipboard, tracheostomy site C/D/I with trach mask in place. Labs significant for WBC 11.2, Hgb 11.4, Na 133, TSH 20.4, and T4 0.9. Patient reported that he smokes 0.5 packs a few days / week and has unknown HPV status. DISCUSSION In patients with laryngeal cancer, treatment with larynx sparing surgery and radiation is performed when possible. Total laryngectomy leads to loss of voice, swallow, and airway protection, requiring permanent tracheostomy and feeding tube placement. These patients, such as the one presented in this case, are therefore at higher risk of overall complications from additional interventions and often require intensive pain management, which can increase the risk for ileus. Additionally, many of these patients will experience adverse side-effects of radiation and chemotherapy, such as tissue fibrosis, lymphedema, hypothyroidism, and secondary malignancies. This particular patient had development of a TE-fistula from prior laryngopharyngectomy and radiation, now with G-tube dependence and permanent tracheostomy, and a high dose opioid regimen with concomitant hypothyroidism, likely worsening his opiate-induced ileus. This caused severe secretions from regurgitation of his tube feeds, which in turn contributed to his cough. The patient’s multiple surgical complications with expulsion were due to these underlying issues. Medical management of the patient’s ileus and treatment of his hypothyroidism led to improvement of his opioid and hypothyroid induced constipation. References During hospitalization, he was found to have opiate-induced ileus on KUB, causing regurgitation of tube-feed boluses through TE fistula and out of the tracheostomy. Opiates were weaned, bowel regimen was uptitrated, and tube feeds were switched from bolus to continuous, leading to complete resolution of secretions and cough. Patient was subsequently discharged with close ENT follow-up. Chow LQM. Head and Neck Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2020 Jan 2;382(1):60-72. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1715715. PMID: 31893516. Fernandez-Bussy S, Mahajan B, Folch E, Caviedes I, Guerrero J, Majid A. Tracheostomy Tube Placement: Early and Late Complications. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2015 Oct;22(4):357-64. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000177. PMID: 26348694. Lee DS, Lee JJ, Sinha P, Puram SV, Jackson RS, Adkins DR, Oppelt P, Brenneman R, Thorstad WL, Pipkorn P. Risk Factors for Functional Outcomes in Advanced Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Laryngoscope. 2023 Mar;133(3):594-600. doi: 10.1002/lary.30166. Epub 2022 May 25. PMID: 35611799; PMCID: PMC9691786