MARKET INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE 21ST CENTURY, AN INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

Marketing,

How Does Consumer Spending Change During Boom, Recession, and Recovery?

[Excerpt] This Beyond the Numbers article compares relative importances based on data collected during three periods that can be characterized roughly as boom, recession, and recovery. The “recovery” era is represented by the current CPI relative importances, which are based on surveys conducted in 2011–2012. These relative importances replaced figures that were based on data collected during 2009–2010, and represent the “recession” period. (While the economy was recovering at least during the latter part of this period, it seems reasonable to expect consumer behavior to reflect recession conditions.) Because the 2007–2008 period was one of transition from boom to recession, we will examine the weights based on 2005–2006 data, as representing spending during a booming economy

Cultural Resources Survey for the Proposed Reconstruction of the Great Oaks Drive Bridge at Brushy Creek, Williamson County, Texas

On behalf of Williamson County, AECOM was contracted by HNTB Corporation to conduct a cultural resources survey for the proposed reconstruction of the Great Oaks Drive Bridge at Brushy Creek, located in Williamson County, Texas. The purpose of this investigation was to survey and inventory archeological and historic resources and to evaluate the potential of any such resources for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and for designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). AECOM conducted the cultural resources survey on September 27, 2018, under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8544. The archeological Area of Potential Effect (APE) consisted of a 13-acre environmental study area. The historic resources APE included the environmental study area plus a 150-foot buffer. The archeological survey was completed using a combination of 100 percent pedestrian survey, augmented by the excavation of 26 shovel tests. No archeological materials were identified during the survey. Field observations included imbricated gravel layers within the narrow floodplain soils, reworked sediments, and bedrock scouring along the channel alignment that is indicative of a floodplain subjected to periodic high-energy flood discharge. Extensive disturbances such as buried utilities (natural gas line, water, electric) and mechanized impacts were also noted in the roadway right-of-way. Given these observations and the absence of sites identified during the survey, the project is not likely to contain deeply buried and intact cultural deposits, and no backhoe trenching was deemed necessary. During the historic resources reconnaissance survey, no historic resources (buildings, structures, objects, sites, or potential districts) were identified within the historic resources APE. Based on the foregoing observations and survey results, the proposed project should have No Effect on historic properties or SALs, and no further cultural resources investigations are recommended. Should the dimensions of the project area change, additional archeological and/or historical investigations may be warranted. In the event that any unmarked prehistoric or historic human remains or burials are encountered during construction, the area of the remains is considered a cemetery under current Texas law, and all construction activities must cease immediately so as to avoid impacting the remains. The THC must be notified immediately by contacting the History Programs Division at (512) 463-5853 and the Archeology Division at (512) 463-6096. All cemeteries are protected under State law and cannot be disturbed. Further protection is provided in Section 28.03(f) of the Texas Penal Code, which provides that intentional damage or destruction inflicted on a human burial site is a state jail felony

Epigenetic Aging and Cognitive Health: A Pilot Study

Chronological age is the strongest risk factor for disease, disability, and death. However, same-aged individuals may be differentially at risk because chronological time is an imperfect proxy of a person’s biological age. One promising approach to quantify biological aging is epigenetic biomarkers that use DNA methylation data to derive a person’s “epigenetic age”. Older epigenetic age, above and beyond chronological age, has been associated with increased risk of premature mortality and morbidity, however, links between epigenetic and cognitive aging are less well characterized, despite the burden of cognitive decline and dementia. The proposed pilot study aims to gather preliminary data in support of an external grant application that examines the longitudinal associations between epigenetic and cognitive aging across midlife, while addressing previous limitations in measuring epigenetic and cognitive aging. This project will leverage an existing longitudinal cohort of midlife adults with two waves of data collected 10-16 years apart to test whether accelerated epigenetic aging is predictive of future cognitive decline. In order to be competitive for this larger grant, preliminary data are needed to establish whether and to what degree (1) cognitive function and (2) epigenetic age change over the length of the 10-16 year follow-up provided by this cohort, and (3) to provisionally test in a subset of participants whether changes in epigenetic age are associated with changes in cognitive function over the follow-up interval. This pilot study, designed to provide the needed preliminary data, will examine cognitive and epigenetic aging using an extreme groups approach to identify two subgroups of individuals with different cognition trajectories over 10-16 years, and will use stored blood samples to quantify DNA methylation to estimate epigenetic age. A final aim of this project is to provide a rich training experience for undergraduates by immersing them in cutting-edge, hypothesis-driven health and aging research

Cultural Resources Survey for the Proposed Dam No. 101 Project within the Upper Brushy Creek WCID, Williamson County, Texas

AECOM was contracted by the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District (UBCWCID) to conduct a cultural resources survey for the proposed Dam No. 101 project, located in Williamson County, Texas. AECOM evaluated a 189-acre area of potential effects (APE), which includes the conceptual dam footprint plus a 150-foot (ft) buffer, the inundation area, and any additional areas that could be potentially affected by key construction activities. The project is bisected by O’Conner Drive on the north side of State Highway 45 and partially overlaps the existing Dam No. 9. AECOM conducted an intensive cultural resources survey within the APE from September 16 – 20, 2019. The objectives of the survey were to inventory any archaeological and historic resources within the APE and to evaluate their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and for designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). All work was performed in accordance with Texas Historical Commission (THC) Archeological Survey Standards for Texas. The survey was completed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8855 and utilized a combination of pedestrian survey methods and the systematic excavation of 78 shovel tests. No new archaeological sites were identified during the survey. However, the survey revisited four previously recorded archaeological sites, including 41WM748, 41WM750, 41WM1058, and 41WM1248. These sites are within, or are partially within, the portion of the APE located east of O’Connor Drive. Each of these sites has been impacted by erosion and natural weathering, and all the site components were found to be resting on either limestone and eroded soils surfaces, or within shallow (\u3c30 cm) soils. Due to these factors, the sites do not exhibit integrity. Due to the absence of temporally diagnostic artifacts and features, these sites are not likely to yield information important to prehistory. Based on the current investigations, we recommend that sites 41WM748, 41WM750, 41WM1058, and 41WM1248 are ineligible for listing in the NRHP and do not merit designation as SALs. In addition, the two prehistoric isolated finds (IF-1 and IF-2) identified during the survey are recommended as ineligible for NRHP listing and SAL designation. Finally, two historic-age resources, including Dam No. 9 (Resource 001) and a corral (Resource 002), were recorded during the survey and evaluated by an architectural historian. Both resources are assessed as failing to meet NRHP criteria of eligibility and are recommended as ineligible for listing in the NRHP. Right-of-entry could not be obtained for the portion of the APE on the west side of O’Connor Drive, which contains one previously recorded archaeological site (41WM1057), and one NRHP-eligible structure (ca. 1950 Agricultural Building). In 2004, the THC determined site 41WM1057 to be ineligible. Based on the current plans, no construction will take place in the APE west of O’Connor Drive. Since no significant hydrological changes would occur in this area as a result of Dam 101 construction, no impacts to these sites are anticipated and no archaeological survey is currently warranted. A field geomorphic assessment was conducted and revealed that the APE contains thin and eroded soils that formed in residuum weathered from Cretaceous limestone. Along Lake Creek, the soils consist of shallow, gravelly deposits confined to a relatively narrow flood surface. Given the residual nature and ancient age of the APE soils, the absence of deep alluvial deposits, and the high-energy flood discharge regime evidenced in creek bank profiles, the APE does not exhibit the pedologic and geomorphic conditions necessary for the deep burial and preservation of cultural deposits. It is therefore unlikely that any archaeological sites in these areas would exhibit the integrity necessary to be considered eligible for the NRHP or to merit SAL designation. No backhoe trenching is recommended for this project. Based on the results of the survey, the proposed project should have No Effect on historic properties or SALs. AECOM recommends that construction can proceed without further cultural resources investigations. However, should the dimensions of the project area change, additional archaeological and historical investigations may be warranted. If any unmarked prehistoric or historic human remains or burials are encountered at any point during the project, the area of the remains is considered a cemetery under current Texas law and all construction activities must cease immediately to avoid impacting the remains. The THC must be notified immediately by contacting the Archeology Division at (512) 463-6096. All cemeteries are protected under State law and cannot be disturbed. Further protection is provided in Section 28.03(f) of the Texas Penal Code, which provides that intentional damage or destruction inflicted on a human burial site is a state jail felony. No artifacts were collected during the survey. All correspondence, field records, and photographs generated during field investigations were prepared for permanent curation at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory

Cultural Resources Survey for the Oncor Cogdell - Clairemont 138 kV Transmission Line Project, Kent and Scurry Counties, Texas

Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Oncor) and Brazos Electric Power Cooperative propose to construct a new, singlecircuit 138 kilovolt (kV) transmission line (Project) between the existing Oncor Cogdell substation located in Scurry County, approximately 15 miles northeast of Snyder, Texas, east of Farm-to-Market (FM) 1231, and the existing Brazos Electric Clairemont substation located in Kent County, approximately seven miles northwest of Clairemont, Texas. The proposed transmission line would be constructed with one circuit of 138 kV transmission line supported by double circuit 138 kV steel or concrete monopole structures within a 70-foot (ft) right-of-way (ROW). AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) conducted a 100 percent pedestrian archaeological survey of the Project ROW for the portion of the Project from the Cogdell substation to the Project midpoint, which covers approximately 14.4 miles (including various potential reroutes). The survey was conducted from October 8 to 13, 2019, requiring 156 person hours in the field. The investigations reported herein were conducted in accordance with Oncor’s Generic Research Design for Archaeological Surveys of Oncor Electric Delivery Electric Transmission Line Projects in Texas (PBS&J 2008). The survey resulted in the identification and recording of a historic windmill and cistern site (41SC76), two prehistoric lithic scatters (41KT176 and 41KT177), and nine isolated finds (IFs 1 through 9). In addition, two flakes from one previously recorded site (41KT107) were found within the Project ROW. Based upon poor integrity contexts of these sites, the lack of any known associations with significant historic events and/or persons, and because the sites are not likely to yield information important to prehistory or history, each of these sites and the IFs are recommended as not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Furthermore, these sites do not merit designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). A single historic-age ranch complex was identified 240 feet north of the Project ROW. The ranch complex with associated agricultural outbuildings was built ca. 1930. The complex contains one single-family domestic dwelling and five outbuildings of various sizes. The resource retains some aspects of integrity, but they are unremarkable examples of a common dwelling and outbuildings. The resources do not convey association with significant historical events or a significant pattern of development. The buildings do not appear to be associated with significant persons in history and lack architectural design merit. Furthermore, the resources are not likely to yield information important to history or prehistory of the area. Therefore, the ranch complex and associated outbuildings are recommended as not eligible for listing in the NRHP. A geomorphological evaluation of the project area revealed that the Project ROW does not exhibit the pedologic and geomorphic conditions necessary for the deep burial and preservation of cultural deposits. Therefore, no geoarchaeological monitoring of transmission pole emplacement is recommended. Based on the results of the survey, the development, construction, and operation of the proposed Project should have No Effect on historic properties or SALs. It is recommended that construction can proceed without further cultural resources investigations. However, should the dimensions of the Project change, additional investigations may be required. If any unmarked prehistoric or historic human remains or burials are encountered at any point, the area of the remains is considered a cemetery under current Texas law and is protected. Section 28.03(f) of the Texas Penal Code provides that intentional damage or destruction inflicted on a human burial site is a state jail felony. If a cemetery is identified in the Project ROW, all work in the area of the discovery must cease and the THC must be notified by contacting the History Programs Division at (512) 463-5853 and the Archeology Division at (512) 463-6096. Following consultation with the THC, a treatment or avoidance plan would be developed and implemented. No artifacts were collected during the survey. All correspondence, field records, and photographs generated during field investigations will be prepared for permanent curation at Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL), Austin, Texas

The Association of Natural Elements and Trail Use by Adults

We used the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities to examine the association between variations in natural elements (ie, season, weather, and temperature) and adults' use of a rail-trail in South Carolina (2006-2009). Most (62%) of the 4,468 trail users observed were walkers; 38% were observed participating in vigorous physical activity. Adults were most often observed using the trail during the summer (32%), sunny weather (78%), and moderate temperatures (54%). When promoting trail use among adults, natural elements should be considered

The Structure of the Toyota Supply Network: An Empirical Analysis

Increasing awareness of the intrinsically complex nature of supply networks has brought the field of supply chain management into the domain of network science. However, due to the difficulties of acquiring large-scale and consistent empirical data sets, a more complete picture of a real-world supply network has remained remarkably elusive. In this paper, we present novel data that characterize the Toyota supply network, and identify key structural features using measures from social network analysis and the more recent field of network science. We show that the network structure for the Toyota supply network departs widely from the simplified models on which much previous work is based. Our analysis reveals the heterogeneous composition of the network and identifies key firms. Further analysis reveals the existence of constituent sub-networks, and we show that their structures reflect various factors, such as product categorization, geographical closeness and business alignment. Mapping the topology, geography, and distribution of productive capabilities for this supply network provides a critical first step for developing a more empirically-grounded theory of distributed production