Diagnostic Artifacts Research Articles

Spectral CT Hybrid Images in the Diagnostic Evaluation of Hypervascular Abdominal Tumors-Potential Advantages in Clinical Routine.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the use of spectral computed tomography (SCT) hybrid images combining virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) and iodine maps (IMs) as a potentially efficient search series for routine clinical imaging in patients with hypervascular abdominal tumors. Methods: A total of 69 patients with hypervascular abdominal tumors including neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs, n = 48), renal cell carcinoma (RCC, n = 10), and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 11) were analyzed retrospectively. Two radiological readers (blinded to clinical data) read three CT image sets (1st a reference set with 70 keV; 2nd a 50:50 hybrid 140 keV/40 keV set; 3rd a 50:50 hybrid 140 keV/IM set). They assessed images subjectively by rating several parameters including image contrast, visibility of suspicious lesions, and diagnostic confidence on five-point Likert scales. In addition, reading time was estimated. Results: Median subjective Likert scores were highest for the 1st set, except for image contrast, for which the 2nd set was rated highest. Scores for diagnostic confidence, artifacts, noise, and visibility of suspicious lesions or small structures were significantly higher for the 1st set than for the 2nd or 3rd set (p < 0.001). Regarding image contrast, the 2nd set was rated significantly higher than the 3rd set (p < 0.001), while the median did not differ significantly compared with the 1st set. Agreement between the two readers was high for all sets. Estimated potential reading time was the same for hybrid and reference sets. Conclusions: Hybrid images have the potential to efficiently exploit the additional information provided by SCT in patients with hypervascular abdominal tumors. However, the use of rigid weighting did not significantly improve diagnostic performance in this study.

A Case Study of Cache Pit Construction, Use, and Abandonment from the Upper Great Lakes, USA

ABSTRACT Archaeological investigations on sandy, well-drained terraces of the Grand River in southwestern Michigan revealed a large number of shallow surface depressions, marking the locations of former cache pits, i.e., subterranean storage features. Our paper documents these pits, one of the largest arrays of cache pits reported for the Upper Great Lakes. Excavations into 29 cache pits revealed that they had been backfilled with generally artifact-poor sands. Prior to backfilling, the cache pits had been burned, leaving behind a black, charcoal-rich, charred horizon at their base, below the fill. This type of intentional burning has not previously been reported. Intentional re-use of cache pits was rare, if it occurred at all. Subsequently, pedogenesis has formed tongue-like soil horizons below the surface depressions. Radiocarbon dates from the cache pits, along with diagnostic artifacts, place the use of these features to the Late Precontact period, particularly the mid- to late 15th century a.d.

ASSESSING THE CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY OF EL MIRÓN CAVE, CANTABRIAN SPAIN

ABSTRACTEl Mirón is an important archaeological cave site in Cantabria (Spain) with a stratigraphy covering the late Middle Paleolithic to the Modern Period. The Magdalenian levels are especially rich in artifacts, faunal remains, and features, and included the burial of an adult female (“the Red Lady”), as well as other scattered human remains, while the Neolithic levels contained the oldest combined evidence of ceramics, domesticated grain and livestock in the region. However, in the absence of diagnostic artifacts in many levels that would always provide a traditional cultural chronology, radiocarbon dating has been essential in understanding the temporal framework for human activity at the site. Over the duration of more than two decades, the El Mirón Project has therefore obtained 93 radiocarbon dates, which cover the entire stratigraphic record as found in several different excavation areas. In light of the considerable methodological advances that radiocarbon dating has seen since 1996 we aim to evaluate the reliability of the published 14C record for El Mirón Cave, and to improve the accuracy of the radiocarbon based chronostratigraphy through Bayesian modeling. The results shed light on which dates may be used for future research and where dating discrepancies reflect taphonomic processes, thereby advancing intra-site and regional archaeological comparisons.

The southern Levantine earthquake of 418/419 AD and the archaeology of Byzantine Petra

This article provides a critical review of the archaeological, geological and historical evidence concerning the southern Levantine earthquake of 418/419 AD, specifically its effects on Petra. Historical accounts indicate that the earthquake caused destruction in Jerusalem and elsewhere, but archaeological evidence is sparse. Numerous destruction layers at sites in the Galilee were attributed to the 418/419 earthquake, but these attributions have all been questioned due to the presence of material in these layers post-dating the early 5th century AD. To the south, the attribution of the destruction of the Spätrömisch II phase at al-Zantur, in Petra, to this earthquake has largely been accepted. This paper reviews the published evidence and determines that this, too, has been dated too early. Based on this evidence, I suggest that the destruction of al-Zantur Spätrömisch II occurred in the 6th century and argue that the 418/419 earthquake was a relatively minor event, primarily affecting the Jerusalem region. This has bearing on the dating of diagnostic artifact types found in this phase, notably the Negev wheel-made lamp, which I argue should be considered a reliable indicator of dates in the 6th–7th century AD. This, in turn, has implications for the dating of other sites, notably the Petra Church.

The open-air site La Sénétrière and the Gravettian in the southern Burgundy (Saône-et-Loire, France)

In the Mâconnais, southern Burgundy, a number of paleolithic sites are concentrated along the river Saône. One of these is the prehistoric open-air site La Sénétrière. This contribution gives an overview of recently conducted research and its results, focusing on stone artifacts from surface finds attributed to the Upper Paleolithic, including a considerable amount of blade cores. This paper summarizes the results of a master's thesis on the site's Upper Paleolithic core technology completed last year. For this purpose, these cores were divided into seven individual categories in order to be able to trace the respective core and blank production. Therefore, working stage analyses were carried out on ten cores. In addition, a comparison was conducted in which further sites with a similar technological component and possible identical core categories were compared with the cores from La Sénétrière. In combination with a classical attribute analysis, information could be obtained about a possible chronological classification and function of the site, to interpret La Sénétrière more precisely. In the past, the Upper Paleolithic component of the lithic artifacts was dated to the Perigordian V. However, our analyses show that Aurignacian artifacts are also present. Thus, the site was inhabited for a longer time than previously assumed. The dating of the confirmed Gravettian artifacts was reduced to an age of 33,000–28,000 calBP by comparing the sites, their diagnostic artifacts and core categories.

Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Archaeological Contexts: The case study of the Early La Tène Cemetery of Szentlőrinc, Hungary

This study would like to provide an open-source and reproducible workflow for multivariate statistical analysis of archaeological contexts, e.g. cemeteries. Further the study does not wish to republish the cemetery – it only discusses diagnostic artifact types which can be used for dating this specific cemetery.Also, the study shows that multivariate statistical analysis can be useful and that a bigger sample size (cemetery), higher number of artifacts and more associated artifact types in closed contexts can deliver better and more useful information for dating cemeteries or even building regional chronologies.

The early Aurignacian dispersal of modern humans into westernmost Eurasia

Documenting the first appearance of modern humans in a given region is key to understanding the dispersal process and the replacement or assimilation of indigenous human populations such as the Neanderthals. The Iberian Peninsula was the last refuge of Neanderthal populations as modern humans advanced across Eurasia. Here we present evidence of an early Aurignacian occupation at Lapa do Picareiro in central Portugal. Diagnostic artifacts were found in a sealed stratigraphic layer dated 41.1 to 38.1 ka cal BP, documenting a modern human presence on the western margin of Iberia ∼5,000 years earlier than previously known. The data indicate a rapid modern human dispersal across southern Europe, reaching the westernmost edge where Neanderthals were thought to persist. The results support the notion of a mosaic process of modern human dispersal and replacement of indigenous Neanderthal populations.

“Knapping, My Child, is Made of Errors”: Apprentice Knappers at Swan Point and Little Panguingue Creek, Two Prehistoric Sites in Central Alaska

ABSTRACT In Beringia, as in many other parts of the world, stone tools are the main diagnostic cultural artifact for understanding prehistoric societies. The analysis of lithic assemblages is the basis for establishing connections between sites and techno-complexes. Through highlighting major technological trends, archaeologists are able to interpret processes such as cultural continuity and migrations. Here we present a fine-grained analysis of two assemblages to perceive in detail the individuals behind the lithic productions, more specifically apprentice knappers. Although recognition of apprenticeship in a prehistoric context is not new, this is the first such study for Alaska and Beringia. We focus on two distinct assemblages with microblade technology: the late Pleistocene component of Swan Point CZ4b (Tanana valley) and the early Holocene component of Little Panguingue Creek C2 (Nenana valley), both in central Alaska.

Comorbidity and patterns of familial aggregation in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder in a family study of affective and anxiety spectrum disorders

The aim of this study is to examine the familial aggregation of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its cross-transmission with bipolar disorder (BD) in a community-based family study of mood spectrum disorders. A clinically-enriched community sample of 562 probands recruited from the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area and their 698 directly interviewed relatives were included in analyses. Inclusion criteria were English speaking and consent to contact at least two first-degree relatives. Standard family study methodology was used and DSM-IV classified mental disorders were ascertained through a best-estimate procedure based on direct semi-structured interviews and multiple family history reports. There was specificity of familial aggregation of both bipolar I disorder (BD I) and bipolar II disorder (BD II) (i.e., BD I OR = 6.08 [1.66, 22.3]; BD II OR = 2.98 [1.11, 7.96]) and ADHD (ADHD OR = 2.13 [1.16, 3.95]). However, there was no evidence for cross-transmission of BD and ADHD in first degree relatives (i.e., did not observe increased rates of BD in relatives of those with ADHD and vice versa; all ps > 0.05). The specificity of familial aggregation of ADHD and BD alongside the absence of shared familial risk are consistent with the notion that the comorbidity between ADHD and BD may be attributable to diagnostic artifact, could represent a distinct BD suptype characterized by childhood-onset symptoms, or the possibility that attention problems serve as a precursor or consequence of BD.

Crossing the waterline: Integrating terrestrial and submerged site investigations in the Aucilla River, Florida

Over the past decade, research in the Aucilla River of northwestern Florida, USA, has focused upon understanding the geoarchaeological context of numerous formerly-terrestrial, now-inundated sinkhole spring sites and the landscapes surrounding them. Dozens of terminal Pleistocene and early Holocene-aged diagnostic artifacts have been recovered from this river, some in association with drowned terrestrial soils and intact dateable stratigraphy. Currently-terrestrial sites have thus far proven nearly undateable and are often conflated and deflated, but they provide evidence of extensive and resilient lifeways along the Aucilla River basin over thousands of years. The wealth of paleoenvironmental proxy data recovered from the drowned landscapes can help to explicate where, why, and how some sites have preserved while others have not. These data further suggest how people were adjusting to their changing environments over the more than 14,000 years they have been occupying the Aucilla River basin. This paper details the methods utilized to work on both sides of the waterline to reach a more holistic understanding of geoarchaeological context and human societies in the Aucilla River basin.

Establishment of Submillisievert Abdominal CT Protocols With an In Vivo Swine Model and an Anthropomorphic Phantom

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiation dose, effective dose, and image quality of different low-dose abdominal CT protocols in a swine model and an anthropomorphic phantom using a third-generation dual-source CT scanner. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Four different abdominal low-dose protocols were established using a swine model and were regarded as diagnostic by two experienced radiologists on the basis of clarity and sharpness of anatomic structures. General image conditions such as noise and spatial resolution as well as diagnostic acceptability and artifacts were evaluated. Objective image quality was determined by measuring signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in different anatomic locations. To evaluate the effective dose, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) measurements were repeated in a phantom. RESULTS. Diagnostic acceptability, spatial resolution, and noise were rated as optimal in all four protocols, which were therefore regarded as diagnostic. We found no statistically significant differences in SNR or CNR for the four low-dose protocols. Effective dose determined from the phantom measurements did not exceed 0.33 mSv for any protocol. Overall evaluation of the 86 TLD measurements for the four low-dose protocols revealed a statistically significant difference in radiation dose (p < 0.0001), showing that the dual-source protocol had the lowest radiation dose. CONCLUSION. Submillisievert abdominal CT is feasible with good image quality and doses even lower than conventional abdominal radiography. Our dual-source protocol achieved the lowest dose, which further shows that dual-source imaging is possible in the submillisievert range without additional dose.

Análisis espacial del sitio Amigo Oeste, Meseta de Somuncurá (Río Negro, Argentina)

En este trabajo analizamos las distribuciones espaciales de los artefactos líticos en Amigo Oeste, un sitio al aire libre ubicado en la región de la meseta de Somuncurá (Río Negro, Argentina). Una de las principales singularidades del sitio es que una gran proporción de las evidencias arqueológicas registradas consiste en Puntas Cola de Pescado (PCP), artefactos de diagnóstico asignados a la transición Pleistoceno-Holoceno, lo que demuestra su relevancia para el estudio del poblamiento temprano de las Américas. El sitio se extiende tanto en la cima como en la ladera sureste de un cerro de 84m de desnivel.El relevamiento de información espacial en este sitio se realizó mediante 292 unidades transectas y recolección puntual de artefactos registrados mediante GPS no diferencial y teodolito electrónico. Se recolectaron 2575 artefactos líticos entre núcleos, artefactos formatizados y artefactos no formatizados. Hasta el momento el sitio ha sido interpretado como un lugar de visualización para control del entorno (que pudo haber sido usado como campo de caza), donde se realizaron tareas de reequipamiento de PCP, así como otras actividades relacionadas con la cacería.Con el objetivo de explorar patrones espaciales en los indicadores de actividades realizadas en el sitio, los datos generados en trabajos previos (la ubicación de los artefactos y los atributos generados desde el punto de vista tecno-morfológico y morfológico-funcional, así como información ambiental) se integraron en un Sistema de Información Geográfica, y se realizó un análisis espacial exploratorio para definir estadísticamente la existencia de agrupaciones en los artefactos, en los atributos asociados a ellos, así como el número de agrupaciones y su ubicación. Este trabajo permitió lograr un mayor conocimiento sobre las áreas de actividad en el sitio y en su entorno inmediato.

Image Quality Assessment of Abdominal CT by Use of New Deep Learning Image Reconstruction: Initial Experience.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to perform quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm in contrast-enhanced oncologic CT of the abdomen. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Retrospective review (April-May 2019) of the cases of adults undergoing oncologic staging with portal venous phase abdominal CT was conducted for evaluation of standard 30% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction V (30% ASIR-V) reconstruction compared with DLIR at low, medium, and high strengths. Attenuation and noise measurements were performed. Two radiologists, blinded to examination details, scored six categories while comparing reconstructions for overall image quality, lesion diagnostic confidence, artifacts, image noise and texture, lesion conspicuity, and resolution. RESULTS. DLIR had a better contrast-to-noise ratio than 30% ASIR-V did; high-strength DLIR performed the best. High-strength DLIR was associated with 47% reduction in noise, resulting in a 92-94% increase in contrast-to-noise ratio compared with that of 30% ASIR-V. For overall image quality and image noise and texture, DLIR scored significantly higher than 30% ASIR-V with significantly higher scores as DLIR strength increased. A total of 193 lesions were identified. The lesion diagnostic confidence, conspicuity, and artifact scores were significantly higher for all DLIR levels than for 30% ASIR-V. There was no significant difference in perceived resolution between the reconstruction methods. CONCLUSION. Compared with 30% ASIR-V, DLIR improved CT evaluation of the abdomen in the portal venous phase. DLIR strength should be chosen to balance the degree of desired denoising for a clinical task relative to mild blurring, which increases with progressively higher DLIR strengths.

Archaeological Survey for the Lower Greens Bayou Trail Project, Segments GR02 and GR03, in Harris County, Texas

Over several mobilizations between April 2018 and January 2020, Gray &amp; Pape, Inc., of Houston, Texas, conducted an intensive pedestrian cultural resources survey of two segments (Segments GR02 and GR03) of proposed trail development along Lower Greens Bayou in the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas. The project alignment measures approximately 10.8 kilometers (6.7 miles) in length and encompasses approximately 9.6 hectares (23.7 acres) of area. Another 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles) or 0.6 hectares (1.4 acres) of project alignment was removed from consideration. In total, approximately 11.4 kilometers (7.1 miles) or 10.2 hectares (25.1 acres) was surveyed for the project. Because the proposed trail development occurs on publicly owned properties a Texas Antiquities Code Permit was required prior to survey. All work was completed under Texas Antiquities Permit #8328, which was assigned by the Texas Historical Commission on February 14, 2018. Fieldwork and reporting activities were performed according to procedures set forth by the Texas Historical Commission and the Council of Texas Archeologists. The goals of the survey were to establish whether or not previously unidentified archaeological resources were located within the project area, also defined as the project’s Area of Potential Effects, and whether the proposed development would affect any previously identified cultural resources. Prior to fieldwork, site file and background research was conducted, including a review of historic aerial and topographic maps in an attempt to locate any historic structures associated with the Area of Potential Effects. Site file review and background research indicated that there are no previously recorded sites within the project Area of Potential Effects. Fieldwork took place between April 10, 2018 and January 7, 2020 and consisted of a combination of pedestrian survey and shovel testing. Systematic shovel testing was performed along a single transect over both project segments resulting in 131 shovel tests being excavated, of which 11 were positive for cultural material. The survey revealed that large portions of both project segments have been heavily disturbed by development and flood events, however, three new archaeological sites, 41HR1234, 41HR1235, and 41HR1236, and one historic Isolate were identified as a result of survey. Site 41HR1234 was identified as a mid-twentieth century historic trash midden. Site 41HR1235 was identified as a Late Prehistoric ephemeral campsite. Site 41HR1236 was identified as a multicomponent prehistoric campsite and historic isolate. Diagnostic artifacts were observed at all three sites; however, it is the recommendation of Gray &amp; Pape, Inc. that only Sites 41HR1235 and 41HR1236 are significant in the materials they contain and their potential to offer additional research potential. Direct impacts to both sites have been avoided by the project alignment as currently planned. While indirect impacts such as looting are a concern, the distance between the sites and the current alignment as well the density of woods surrounding them minimizes the danger as a result of the project. Eligibility testing is recommended for the sites if they cannot be avoided by future projects. Based on the results of this survey, Gray &amp; Pape, Inc. recommends that the no further cultural resources work be required for the project as currently planned and that the project be cleared to proceed. As specified under the conditions of Texas Antiquities Code Permit #8328, all project associated records are curated with the Center of Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Cultural Resources Survey of the Lone Star Express II Pipeline – Loop 3, in Eastland, Comanche, Erath, and Bosque Counties, Texas

Gray &amp; Pape, Inc., of Houston, Texas, on behalf of Lone Star NGL Pipeline, LP, conducted an intensive pedestrian cultural resources survey within permitted areas of the 142.27-kilometer (88.4mile) long Lone Star Express II Pipeline Project – Loop 3, in Eastland, Comanche, Erath, and Bosque Counties, Texas. The lead agency for the project has been identified as the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District (Permit No. SWF-2019-00091). Thus, survey efforts concentrated on areas anticipated to be under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (permit areas). Within Loop 3, the total Area of Potential Effects within the permit areas measures approximately 209.9 hectares (518.6 acres). This area encapsulates approximately 52.8 kilometers (32.8 miles) of proposed project alignment. The procedures to be followed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to fulfill the requirements set forth in the National Historic Preservation Act, other applicable historic preservation laws, and Presidential directives as they relate to the regulatory program of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (33 CFR Parts 320-334) are articulated in the Regulatory Program of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Part 325 - Processing of Department of the Army Permits, Appendix C - Procedures for the Protection of Historic Properties. All fieldwork and reporting activities were completed according to a scope of work submitted to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas Historical Commission and accepted standards set forth by the Texas Historical Commission and the Council of Texas Archeologists and in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. A records and literature review of the project location prior to survey identified 13 previously recorded archaeological sites, four historic markers, five cemeteries, and five previously conducted surveys within a 0.8-kilometer (0.5-mile) radius of Loop 3. Of those, the mapped locations for one recorded archaeological site and three previous surveys intersect the project corridor. An additional three archaeological sites are located within 91 meters (300 feet) of the project’s Areas of Potential Effects. Fieldwork on Loop 3 was conducted in the Spring of 2019 with supplemental survey in August, October, and November of 2019 and required approximately 3,680-person hours to complete. Survey involved archaeological reconnaissance and shovel testing throughout anticipated permit areas within the project corridor. In total, approximately 901 shovel tests were excavated within permit areas, of which four were positive for cultural material. No portions of previously recorded resources: 41ER48, 41ER49, 41ER50, or 41ER56, were re-identified; however, two new previously unrecorded resources, 41BQ358 and 41BQ359, and one isolate, BQ-07-ISO-01, were discovered. The newly recorded resources consist of sparse Prehistoric lithic scatters, consisting mainly of debitage and lacking temporally or culturally diagnostic artifacts. The lone diagnostic artifact, Isolate BQ-07-ISO-01, consists of an Ellis or Godley type projectile point dating to the Late to Transitional Archaic. The resource areas within the pipeline corridor showed clear disturbance from the adjacent pipeline right-of-way. Indications of soil deflation, erosion, and past land modifications such as agriculture or terracing were also observed. Further, Resource 41BQ358 and Isolate BQ-07-ISO-01 are located on very spatially limited topographic settings surrounded by slopes of 30 degrees or greater. The workspace at the location of 41BQ359 has been revised to avoid the site thus removing it from permitting. The workspace where it passes the site will be marked by orange fencing. Shovel test results at nearly all permit areas identified subsoils, cemented soils, or bedrock. Alarm Creek in Erath County, Permit Area Number 65, was targeted for deep testing based on geomorphological data, and field results and discussions with the field archaeologist. Deep test results indicated a lack of deeply buried A horizon soils and showed no potential for deeply buried cultural material or paleosols. No cultural features or historic-age standing resources were encountered in the field. No artifacts were collected as a result of survey. It is the opinion of Gray &amp; Pape Inc. that none of the recorded resources retain the potential to provide significant research value and are thus recommended not eligible for the National Register, under Evaluation Criterion D. In addition, the resources are recommended not eligible for State Antiquities Landmark status. Gray &amp; Pape, Inc. recommends no additional archaeological work for these resources or surveyed portions of the project. However, Gray &amp; Pape, Inc. recommends that an unanticipated discoveries plan be put into place in the event that such discoveries take place during construction.

Cultural Resources Monitoring for the San Antonio Water Systems Sewer Line Repair Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Raba Kistner, Inc. (RKI) was contracted by K-Friese + Associates (CLIENT), on behalf of San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) to conduct archaeological monitoring for emergency repairs to a collapsed sewer lateral within West Houston Street in downtown San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The project involved the excavation of the area around the collapsed portion of the sewer lateral and the replacement of the damaged line. The project is located within the boundaries of a Catholic Cemetery and is between Milam Square (41BX991), which is a historic cemetery, and an area of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio where the first City Cemeteries have been documented. As such, the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation (COSA OHP) required the monitoring of the excavation activities. The proposed project is located on lands controlled by the City of San Antonio and work was conducted by SAWS, both entities of the State of Texas. As such, the project falls under the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191). Furthermore, the project was also subject to review under Chapter 35 of the City of San Antonio’s Unified Development Code (UDC) (Article VI, Historic Preservation and Urban Design). All work was conducted in accordance with the Archeological Survey Standards for Texas as set forth by the Council of Texas Archeologists (CTA) and the THC under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit Number 9209. A desktop review was conducted to determine if any previously conducted archaeological investigations or any cultural resources had been documented within the APE. Review of the Texas Archeological Sites Atlas (Atlas), revealed that no previous archaeological surveys have been conducted within the APE and that no previously recorded archaeological sites have been documented within the APE. Cultural resources monitoring investigations for the project were conducted on December 21 and 22, 2019, and January 14, 2020. Antonio Padilla served as Project Manager and Principal Investigator, and all field work was conducted by Lindy Martinez and Susan Sincerbox. The undertaking involved the excavation of an approximately 34-foot-long (10 meter [m]-) north-south, 2.5–to–9-foot-wide east-west (0.5–to–2.74 m-) trench that extended from the sewer main located near the center of West Houston Street to the clean out located under the sidewalk north of West Houston Street. For archaeological purposes the Area of Potential Effects (APE) consisted of approximately 800 square feet or 0.018 acres. The depths of impacts reached a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) below surface. During the investigations, it was discovered that the entire APE has been heavily impacted by previous construction events and the installation of utilities. Throughout the excavations, construction gravels reaching a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) below surface were observed within the entire APE, and several utilities were encountered. No intact soils were present within the trench. It appears that previous construction events and installation of utilities have removed all intact soils to the depth reached by the trench. Due to the absence of intact soils, no soils were screened. Additionally, no cultural materials or cultural features were observed during the monitoring of the excavations. RKI has made a reasonable and good faith effort identifying cultural resources within the APE. No significant deposits or features were identified during cultural resource monitoring. As a result, RKI does not recommend further archaeological investigations within the APE. However, should changes be made to the APE, further work may be required. No diagnostic artifacts were collected during the course of the investigations, thus, no artifacts will be curated at the completion of the project. All field records generated during this project will be permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Super-Resolution with compressively sensed MR/PET signals at its input

Abstract The aim of this paper is to present a highly effective Magnetic Resonance Imaging- Positron Emission Tomography (MR/PET) image reconstruction strategy allowing for simultaneous resolution enhancing and scanning time minimisation. The presented algorithm employs the combined sparsity, compressed sensing (CS) theory and super resolution to achieve high-resolution output maintaining data collecting steps at the lowest possible levels. This paper presents a very promising application of super-resolution of highly sensitively compressed MR/PET raw data. The presented algorithm nests image priors, deblurring, and a discrete dense displacement sampling for the deformable registration of high-resolution images at its core. Data from preliminary trials can also be valuable in providing background information useful in reducing examinations times. In accordance with expectations, the presented algorithm can enhance image resolution without any hardware modifications. However, the motion estimation algorithm can drastically eliminate diagnostic image artifacts that increase the chances of a correct diagnosis. The robustness of the suggested algorithm was subjected to state-of-the art image resolution enhancement algorithms: 3D kernel regression, Enhanced Deep Residual Networks for Single Image Super-Resolution, Image Super-Resolution Using Very Deep Residual Channel Attention Networks, Residual Dense Network for Image Super-Resolution. It is worth underlining that combining Compressed Sensing with its conjugate symmetry, as well as Partial Fourier methodology leads to data acquisition acceleration when compared to the different and unmodified k-space sampling patterns. It can be clearly seen that the obtained improvements have led to much better sharpness, edge interpretations, and contrast. Moreover, the accomplishments have been validated by PSNR. In accordance with expectations, the presented algorithm is able to enhance image resolution without any hardware adjustments. Besides the resolution tradeoffs, this method is able to minimise motion artifacts what is especially important for effective physician-to-physician communication and unbiased diagnosis.

Cultural Resources Report for the Cane Island Branch Section of the Buffalo Bayou Project Between Katy-Flewellen Road and Kingsland Boulevard in Fort Bend County, Texas

Cultural Resources Report for the Cane Island Branch Section of the Buffalo Bayou Project Between Katy-Flewellen Road and Kingsland Boulevard in Fort Bend County, Texas

Cultural Resources Investigations for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Project, Bexar County, Texas

At the request of TriLeaf Corporation (TriLeaf), SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted a cultural resources investigation for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) Project (Project) located in Bexar County, Texas. The Project involves the installation of a 432-foot-long (132-meter [m]-long) fiber-optic communication line directly south of Floyd Curl Drive in northwest San Antonio, Texas. The total disturbance of the proposed Project area measures approximately 0.28 acre (0.1 hectare [ha]) in size. The Project area is situated on the grounds of UTHSCSA and located approximately 8.48 miles (13.65 kilometers [km]) from downtown San Antonio. At its nearest, Zarzamora Creek is 40 feet (12 m) northwest of the Project area. The proposed Project includes property owned by the UTHSCSA, a political subdivision of the state of Texas, and is therefore subject to review by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) under the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) and the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation (SA-OHP) under the Historic Preservation and Design Sections of the City of San Antonio’s Unified Development Code (UDC) (Article VI 35-606). SWCA conducted all work in accordance with the standards and guidelines set forth by the THC and the Council of Texas Archaeologists under ACT Permit No. 9311. The purpose of the investigation was to identify and assess any cultural resources, such as historic and prehistoric archaeological sites and historic buildings, structures, objects, and sites (such as cemeteries) that might be located within the boundaries of the proposed Project area and evaluate the significance of these cultural resources. Investigations consisted of a background literature and historical map review and monitoring of mechanical trench excavations within the Project area. SWCA conducted all investigations in accordance with the standards and guidelines established by the THC and the Council of Texas Archeologists. The background review determined that the Project area has not been previously surveyed for cultural resources, and three cultural resources investigations and three previously recorded cultural resources occurred within a 1.0-mile (1.6-km) radius of the Project area. SWCA’s intensive archaeological monitoring was performed during construction activities that occurred on April 7–14, 2020. All work within the Project area was conducted within moderately disturbed deposits. SWCA observed no subsurface cultural materials and no cultural features or temporally diagnostic artifacts were encountered. In accordance with the City of San Antonio UDC and the ACT, SWCA has made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify cultural resources properties within the Project area. No properties were identified within the Project area that may meet the criteria for listing as a State Antiquities Landmark, nor as a Historic Landmark or District according to the UDC. Therefore, SWCA recommends that no additional cultural resources investigations are warranted within the UTHSCSA Project Area, as currently defined. Following the review and acceptance of the final cultural resources report, all records and photographs will be curated with the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio, per requirements of the ACT.

Cultural Resources Survey of Antiquities Permit Portions of the Orion Refurbishment Project in Midland and Mitchell Counties, Texas

Gray and Pape, Inc., performed an intensive pedestrian cultural resources survey of the Area of Potential Effects of permitted segments of proposed pipeline refurbishment located in Midland and Mitchell Counties, Texas. To date, no federal permitting has been identified for the project. However, approximately 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) of the project area are located on lands owned by the City of Midland and the City of Colorado City, and will be reviewed under the Texas Antiquities Code (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191), Permit number 8677. The area surveyed amounts to approximately 20 hectares (50 acres) of survey corridor, which is considered the Area of Potential Effects. A records and literature review of the project location prior to survey identified two previously recorded archaeological sites and two previously conducted surveys within a 1.6-kilometer (1-mile) radius of the project. Fieldwork was conducted in January and March of 2019. The project required 156-person hours to complete and involved archaeological reconnaissance and shovel testing throughout the entire Area of Potential Effects. A total of 116 shovel tests were excavated along current and previously planned routes, of which 10 were positive for cultural materials. One new previously unrecorded site was identified as a result of survey. Site 41MD58 consists of a low-density surface and buried lithic scatter of a limited number of artifacts and artifact types. The surface of the resource area showed clear disturbance from the adjacent pipeline right-of-way and agricultural activities. A portion of the site was in the process of being disturbed at the time of site delineation by pipeline activities unrelated to the current project consisting of an open trench and associated spoil. Shovel tests within the site showed a lack of integrity primarily as a result of natural and artificial processes resulting in the dispersion of artifacts. The site did not contain temporally or culturally diagnostic artifacts and no artifacts were collected. Nor were any cultural features or historic-age standing resources encountered in the field. Based on the paucity of artifacts, lack of diagnostic materials, and lack of integrity, the site portion located within the Area of Potential Effects is recommended not eligible for State Antiquities Landmark or National Register status. Gray &amp; Pape, Inc. recommends no additional archaeological work for the site or surveyed portions of the project detailed in this report. However, Gray &amp; Pape, Inc. recommends that an unanticipated discoveries plan be put into place in the event that discoveries take place during construction. Gray &amp; Pape, Inc. submitted project records to the Center of Archaeological Studies at Texas State University.