Southwest United States Research Articles

Integrating learner-centered design and user-centered design for meaningful instructor onboarding: Supporting large-scale curricular changes to general education

Supporting instructors through large-scale curricular changes to cross-disciplinary programs such as general education is a complex challenge. In this case-based narrative, we describe how one large R1 university in the Southwest United States developed and implemented an instructor support program during a large-scale general education program redesign for a program that had not been substantively revised since 1998. This program typically offers about 500 courses each semester and is taught by roughly 650 instructors. To support the phased rollout of the new program curriculum, we designed and implemented a Quick Start program to support instructors revising courses for the new program, serving over 400 instructors during its first year of implementation. We discuss our integration of learner-centered design principles (McCombs & Whisler, 1997; Weimer, 2013) to guide the development of the Quick Start program and user-centered design principles (Greer & Harris, 2018; Tham, 2022) to create accessible, useful, and context-driven learning content for the instructors. While these frameworks have been integrated in the past to develop learning materials for students (Jones, 2018; Shivers-McNair et al., 2018), our case-based descriptive analysis presents a novel application of this integration for faculty development. We describe how we integrated these principles to design, scale, iterate, and implement instructor onboarding to the new curriculum. Specifically, we offer four guiding pillars: (i) creating an aligned learning experience, (ii) building an instructional community, (iii) foregrounding an asset-based approach, and (iv) creating useful and usable materials to operationalize such an integration of learner-centered and user-centered design approaches for faculty development.

Proportional Trends in Pediatric Opioid Prescribing Between 2005 and 2016 by Age Group, Sex, Ethnicity, Race, Language, and Payer Status from a Large Children’s Hospital in the Southwest United States

Background/Objectives: Prescription opioid use before adulthood is typically effective for acute pain control and is also associated with adverse short- and long-term consequences. Methods: This study examined pediatric opioid prescribing trends over time across different age groups (early childhood, school age, adolescence, young adult) and sociodemographic subgroups (sex, ethnicity, race, language, payer type) from 2005 to 2016. Results: Utilizing 42,020 first outpatient opioid prescriptions for youth aged 0–21 years from a large US children’s hospital, this research found notable trends and disparities. Prescription rates increased by 35% from 2005–2007 to 2008–2010, then decreased by 14% from 2008–2010 to 2011–2013, and decreased again by 22% from 2011–2013 to 2014–2016. Chi-squared tests indicated significant changes in prescription rates across all sociodemographic subgroups, though only age group, ethnicity, and payer type (i.e., the party responsible for payment for hospital services) had changes with non-negligible effect sizes (Cramer’s V). Specifically, age group showed small to medium effects (V = 0.16), while ethnicity and payer demonstrated small effects (V = 0.10 each). This study highlights variations in opioid prescribing trends, particularly among different age groups, ethnicities, and payer statuses up to 2016. Conclusions: These findings reveal differing trends in pediatric opioid prescribing during the peak of the opioid epidemic, highlighting the importance of considering age and sociodemographic variables for understanding prescribing patterns fully and raising potential concerns about inequities in pain management. Future studies should explore similar trends from 2016 onward.

Disseminated histoplasmosis from western Mexico—rethinking our geographic distribution of endemic fungal species: a case report and review of literature

BackgroundHistoplasma is a fungal pathogen found in many parts of the world. In North America, its distribution is traditionally thought to be endemic to the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Development of histoplasmosis after Histoplasma exposure is related to degree of inoculum exposure and susceptibility, for example, immunocompromised status. Most exposed, healthy individuals are asymptomatic and few develop pulmonary symptoms. A limited number of infectious etiologies (that is, Histoplasma, Coccidioides, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) can cause miliary pattern on chest imaging, and thus, histoplasmosis should be considered whenever a patient presents with pulmonary symptoms and these unique radiographic findings.Case presentationA previously healthy 13-year-old Hispanic male presented as a transfer from an outside hospital with fever and hypoxia in the setting of a progressive, subacute gastrointestinal illness. Given hypoxia, the concern for sepsis, and unclear etiology of his illness, broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy and noninvasive ventilation were started. Initial evaluation demonstrated miliary pulmonary infiltrates, and travel history raised suspicion for coccidioidomycosis or tuberculosis. After a complete evaluation, lab studies confirmed a diagnosis of histoplasmosis, and the patient made a full recovery after the initiation and completion of antifungal therapy.ConclusionHerein, we present a patient who acquired histoplasmosis from an area of Mexico not currently acknowledged as endemic and review recently published data emphasizing new areas of Histoplasma endemicity in North America, particularly the southwest USA and most states of Mexico. Though limited surveillance data exist, mounting case reports/series and local epidemiologic studies illustrate the expanding worldwide endemicity of Histoplasma and underscore histoplasmosis as a growing global health concern.

How do model biases affect large-scale teleconnections that control Southwest US precipitation? Part II: seasonal models

Abstract We explore the skill in predicting Southwest United States (SWUS) October to March precipitation and associated large-scale teleconnections in an ensemble of hindcasts from seasonal prediction systems. We identify key model biases that degrade the models’ capability to predict SWUS precipitation. The subtropical jet in the Pacific sector is generally too zonal and elongated. This is reflected in the models’ North Pacific ENSO teleconnections that are generally too weak with exaggerated northwest-southeast tilt, compared to observations. Also, the models are too dependent on tropical, El Niño-like, wave train anomalies for producing high seasonal SWUS precipitation, when in observations there is a larger influence of zonal Rossby wave trains such as the one observed in 2016/17. Overall, this is consistent with biases in the basic flow inducing errors in the propagation of zonal wave trains in the North Pacific, which affects SWUS precipitation downstream. Although higher skill may be gained from reducing mean flow biases in the models, a case study of the 2016/17 winter illustrates the great challenge behind skillful seasonal prediction of SWUS precipitation. Unsurprisingly, the almost record-breaking precipitation observed that year in the absence of ENSO is not predicted in the hindcasts, and model perturbation experiments suggest that even a perfect prediction of tropical sea surface temperature and tropical atmospheric variability would not have sufficed to produce a reasonable seasonal precipitation prediction. On a more positive note, our perturbation experiments suggest a potential role for Arctic variability that supports findings from prior studies and suggests re-examining high-latitude drivers of SWUS precipitation.

Unraveling the Relationships Between Trend of Dam Inflows, Hydrometeorological Variables and Vegetation in West and Southwest United States

Abstract This paper explored temporal changes in magnitude and seasonality of low, median, and high inflows of 51 dams across the West and Southwest United States over the 1993-2022 period. Changes in precipitation, air temperature (an indicator of snowpack and evaporation), soil moisture, and vegetation were also examined to identify potential reasons for the temporal trends in dam inflows. Using monotonic and non-monotonic tests, we found a general downward trend in dam inflows, particularly across the Upper Colorado and California regions. More than 30% of the dams showed a downward trend in their annual median inflows, high inflows during spring, and median inflows during fall. The downward trend of dam inflows was associated with decreasing precipitation and soil moisture, and rising temperatures. While vegetation exhibited positive associations with inflows, it did not seem to be a primary factor for explaining the inflow trends. We also observed shifts in the seasonality of low and high inflows; there was an increase in the proportion of inflows occurring during summer and fall, and a decrease in winter proportions for low inflows. Similarly, high inflows exhibited an increase in spring proportions and a decrease in fall proportions. Our changepoint analyses detected non-monotonic trends between 2002 and 2012 in ~13% of the dams; the majority were located in the Upper Colorado and California regions. More than half of these changepoints were in 2011, likely due to widespread droughts then. Our study has implications for reservoir managers to identify changes that dams experience over time and assist them in proposing actions that maintain the dams’ functionality.

Salivary Antibody Responses to Potentially Waterborne and Environmentally Transmitted Infections Among Two Tribal Nations in the Southwest United States.

Tribal Nations disproportionately lack access to safe drinking water and can be adversely affected by other water quality and environmental concerns. Such conditions could lead to an increase in the transmission of waterborne, environmental and hygiene related infections. We collected saliva samples from attendees at two Tribal Nation annual festivals and tested them for salivary immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to selected common infections using an in-house multiplex immunoassay. Antibody responses were compared to responses from a previously conducted study in the midwestern United States. We collected and tested 531 samples from Tribal Nation sites and used data on 453 previously analyzed samples from the Midwest site. Logistic and linear regression models were used to model a binary classification of seropositivity and the intensity of the antibody response, respectively. Seroprevalence of chronic infections (Helicobacter pylori and Toxoplasma gondii) were generally consistent with estimates from population-based studies. Compared to the Midwest site, one of the Tribal Nation sites had consistently higher median antibody responses to several noroviruses. The Tribal Nation sites had a lower seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies. At the Tribal Nation sites, farm residents had higher antibody responses to Cryptosporidium spp., bottled water consumption was associated with lower responses to Cryptosporidium spp., animal contact was associated with T. gondii seropositivity, and recent diarrhea was associated with higher norovirus antibody responses. Helicobacter pylori seropositivity was associated with reduced odds of reporting allergies. This study demonstrated the application of a multiplex salivary immunoassay in Tribal Nations to provide insights regarding selected common pathogens which are transmitted through different transmission pathways including person-to-person contacts, contaminated food, soil and drinking water.

How Do Forecast Model Biases Affect Large-Scale Teleconnections That Control Southwest U.S. Precipitation? Part I: S2S Models

Abstract We analyze biases in subseasonal forecast models and their effect on Southwest United States (SWUS) precipitation prediction (2–6-week time scale). Cluster analyses identify three primary wave trains associated with SWUS precipitation: a meridional El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)–type wave train, an arching Pacific–North American (PNA)–type wave train, and a circumglobal zonal wave train. Compared to reanalysis, the models overrepresent the arching pattern, underrepresent the zonal pattern, and produce mixed results for the meridional pattern. The arching pattern overrepresentation is linked to model mean flow biases in the midlatitude–subpolar North Pacific, which cause a westward retraction of the region of forbidden linear Rossby wave propagation. The zonal pattern underrepresentation is linked to westerly biases in the subtropical jet, which cause a westward retraction of the waveguide in the midlatitude eastern North Pacific and divert wave trains southward. These results are confirmed using linear, barotropic ray-tracing analysis. In addition to mean state biases, the models also contain errors in their representation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Tropical convection anomalies associated with the MJO are too weak and incoherent at lead times greater than 2 weeks when compared to reanalysis. Additionally, there is a strong SWUS precipitation signal as far out as 5 weeks after a strong MJO in reanalysis, associated with its persistent eastward propagation, but this signal is absent in the models. Our results indicate that there is still significant room for improvement in subseasonal predictions if we can reduce model biases in the background flow and improve the representation of the MJO.

Social determinants of pet needs among young adults experiencing homelessness in the Southwest United States

ABSTRACT A substantial proportion of unhoused Americans own pets, yet there is a dearth of research examining what factors predict unhoused people needing support to care for pets. With this information, support programs for unhoused pet owners can be targeted more effectively and efficiently. Survey data included young adults aged 18–34 (n = 205) experiencing homelessness in Phoenix, Arizona. We fit logistic regression models predicting pet needs (has pet needs versus does not have pet needs). We included demographic covariates and information regarding respondents’ situations, including their ability to find support and care for themselves. Unhoused People of Color were significantly more likely to have pet needs than unhoused non-Hispanic White people. Respondents who needed protection from rape, needed help finding other people to spend time with, and had some form of health insurance were also more likely to have pet needs. The widespread pet-exclusionary policies of many support services may exclude some of the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness, namely People of Color and people at risk of sexual assault. Our findings support the expansion of pet-inclusive homelessness support services.

Transformative Experiences During Short-Term Immersion Trips Abroad: An Examination of MSW Students in Panama and Italy

ABSTRACT Although several studies highlight the benefit of short-term immersion programs abroad among social work students, few studies have examined their transformative nature. In response, this study aimed to describe the transformative change experienced by MSW students from the Southwest USA who participated in a short-term, immersion program in either Panama or Italy. The structure of the program consisted of two components: a 10-week hybrid classroom during the semester and a 12–13 day, short-term immersion program during the summer. Content analysis was utilized to examine student reflections on the impact of the short-term study abroad experience in areas such as cultural awareness and humility, professional and personal growth, and the most impactful and transformative experiences. The results included the following themes: (1) Community, (2) Adaptation, (3) Empowerment/Inspiration/Transformation, &; (4) Culture. Implications for future research in this area are identified along with considerations for educators regarding planning, teaching, and/or leading the in-country experience to best support student transformation in short-term immersion programs abroad.

Prediction of post-PCV13 pneumococcal evolution using invasive disease data enhanced by inverse-invasiveness weighting.

After introducing pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), serotype replacement occurred in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Predicting which pneumococcal strains will become common in carriage after vaccination can enhance vaccine design, public health interventions, and understanding of pneumococcal evolution. Invasive pneumococcal isolates were collected during 1998-2018 by the Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs). Carriage data from Massachusetts (MA) and Southwest United States were used to calculate weights. Using pre-vaccine data, serotype-specific inverse-invasiveness weights were defined as the ratio of the proportion of the serotype in carriage to the proportion in invasive data. Genomic data were processed under bioinformatic pipelines to define genetically similar sequence clusters (i.e., strains), and accessory genes (COGs) present in 5-95% of isolates. Weights were applied to adjust observed strain proportions and COG frequencies. The negative frequency-dependent selection (NFDS) model predicted strain proportions by calculating the post-vaccine strain composition in the weighted invasive disease population that would best match pre-vaccine COG frequencies. Inverse-invasiveness weighting increased the correlation of COG frequencies between invasive and carriage data in linear or logit scale for pre-vaccine, post-PCV7, and post-PCV13; and between different epochs in the invasive data. Weighting the invasive data significantly improved the NFDS model's accuracy in predicting strain proportions in the carriage population in the post-PCV13 epoch, with the adjusted R2 increasing from 0.254 before weighting to 0.545 after weighting. The weighting system adjusted invasive disease data to better represent the pneumococcal carriage population, allowing the NFDS mechanism to predict strain proportions in carriage in the post-PCV13 epoch. Our methods enrich the value of genomic sequences from invasive disease surveillance.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus pneumoniae, a common colonizer in the human nasopharynx, can cause invasive diseases including pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis mostly in children under 5 years or older adults. The PCV7 was introduced in 2000 in the United States within the pediatric population to prevent disease and reduce deaths, followed by PCV13 in 2010, PCV15 in 2022, and PCV20 in 2023. After the removal of vaccine serotypes, the prevalence of carriage remained stable as the vacated pediatric ecological niche was filled with certain non-vaccine serotypes. Predicting which pneumococcal clones, and which serotypes, will be most successful in colonization after vaccination can enhance vaccine design and public health interventions, while also improving our understanding of pneumococcal evolution. While carriage data, which are collected from the pneumococcal population that is competing to colonize and transmit, are most directly relevant to evolutionary studies, invasive disease data are often more plentiful. Previously, evolutionary models based on negative frequency-dependent selection (NFDS) on the accessory genome were shown to predict which non-vaccine strains and serotypes were most successful in colonization following the introduction of PCV7. Here, we show that an inverse-invasiveness weighting system applied to invasive disease surveillance data allows the NFDS model to predict strain proportions in the projected carriage population in the post-PCV13/pre-PCV15 and pre-PCV20 epoch. The significance of our research lies in using a sample of invasive disease surveillance data to extend the use of NFDS as an evolutionary mechanism to predict post-PCV13 population dynamics. This has shown that we can correct for biased sampling that arises from differences in virulence and can enrich the value of genomic data from disease surveillance and advance our understanding of how NFDS impacts carriage population dynamics after both PCV7 and PCV13 vaccination.

Magnetic signature of deep pit ovens from Paquimé, ceremonial center of the Casas Grandes culture (Northern Mexico)

The Casas Grandes culture in Northern Mexico and Southwest United States has been characterized by its impressive architecture - unique to desert cultures, with houses and constructions of up to four floors built by adobe. In this study, we report an integrated rock-magnetic and archaeomagnetic study from Paquimé archaeological site, considered as an outstanding testimony of the relationship between the cultures of North America and Mesoamerica. The In Situ structures of Paquimé archaeological zone were magnetically analyzed for the first time. Four up to 2.6 m deep Pit Ovens, commonly used for agave cooking, were sampled. 78 specimens were subjected to stepwise alternating field demagnetizations to retrieve characteristic remanence archaeodirections. The great majority of samples yielded evidence of essentially stable, single component remanent magnetization carried by the end members of titanomagnetite solid solutions (almost magnetite phase). Hematite grains apparently also co-exist, but their contribution in total thermoremanence is minor. The archaeomagnetic dating, based on mean declination and inclination, was performed using the global geomagnetic models and the available regional Paleosecular Variation Curves available for Mesoamerica. Additionally, SW United State paleosecular variation patterns from Four Corner region was also considered. The most probable age interval for one of the studied ovens (around 940 AD) is out of Paquimé’s main occupation phase between 1200 and 1450 AD. The age estimation for the PH1 pit oven, around 1150 AD, could be located near the limit of the beginning of the Medio Period. Remained two analyzed ovens yielded up to three possible ages distributed around 1100, 1320 and 1480 AD. Pit Ovens studied here, were long time considered to correspond to same time interval, while these new results attest that these combustion structures encompassed almost six centuries in agreement with the historical fact that the city of Paquimé was abandoned before the arrival of the Spaniards.

Direct and Legacy Effects of Varying Cool-Season Precipitation Totals on Ecosystem Carbon Flux in a Semi-Arid Mixed Grassland.

In the semi-arid grasslands of the southwest United States, annual precipitation is divided between warm-season (July-September) convective precipitation and cool-season (December-March) frontal storms. While evidence suggests shifts in precipitation seasonal distribution, there is a poor understanding of the ecosystem carbon flux responses to cool-season precipitation and the potential legacy effects on subsequent warm-season carbon fluxes. Results from a two-year experiment with three cool-season precipitation treatments (dry, received 5th percentile cool-season total precipitation; normal, 50th; wet, 95th) and constant warm-season precipitation illustrate the direct and legacy effects on carbon fluxes, but in opposing ways. In wet cool-season plots, gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) were 103% and 127% higher than in normal cool-season plots. In dry cool-season plots, GPP and ER were 47% and 85% lower compared to normal cool-season plots. Unexpectedly, we found a positive legacy effect of the dry cool-season treatment on warm-season carbon flux, resulting in a significant increase in both GPP and ER in the subsequent warm season, compared to normal cool-season plots. Our results reveal positive legacy effects of cool-season drought on warm-season carbon fluxes and highlight the importance of the relatively under-studied cool-growing season and its direct/indirect impact on the ecosystem carbon budget.

The Trajectory of Antibody Responses One Year Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Indigenous Individuals in the Southwest United States

SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics based on immunologic history is not fully understood. We analyzed anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibody responses following acute infection in a cohort of Indigenous persons. The models of peak concentrations and decay rates estimated that one year after infection, participants would serorevert for anti-nucleocapsid antibodies and remain seropositive for anti-spike antibodies. The peak anti-spike concentrations were higher for individuals vaccinated prior to infection, but the decay rates were similar across immunologic status groups. Children had significantly lower peak anti-spike concentrations than adults. This study affirms the importance of continued vaccination to maintain high levels of immunity in the face of waning immunity.

Satellite observations indicate that chia uses less water than other crops in warm climates

Many parts of the world face severe and prolonged drought conditions, stressing the sustainability of water resources and agriculture. Transitioning to water-efficient crops is one strategy that can help adapt to water scarcity. An emerging drought-tolerant crop of interest is chia (Salvia hispanica). Yet, no study has compared its large-scale water use dynamics to those of widely established crops across the globe. Here, we use satellite data over multiple years to assess the water use efficiency of chia, alfalfa, corn, and soybean globally. Results show that chia consumed 13-38% less water than alfalfa, corn, and soy and assimilated 14-20% more carbon per amount of water used. Substituting 10% of Southwest United States alfalfa cultivation with chia would save 184 million liters of water per growing season, equivalent to the annual water consumption of 1,300 households. Future research shall explore the economic, societal, and environmental ramifications of substituting alfalfa with chia in dry areas worldwide. These insights can guide decision-makers in promoting sustainable agriculture and water resource management.

Association between Precipitation Events, Drought, and Animal Operations with Campylobacter Infections in the Southwest United States, 2009–2021

Association between Precipitation Events, Drought, and Animal Operations with <i>Campylobacter</i> Infections in the Southwest United States, 2009–2021

Daily Variation in Religious Activities, Spiritual Experiences, Alcohol Use, and Life Satisfaction Among Emerging Adults in the USA.

Research suggests that religious activity and spiritual experiences are associated with well-being among emerging adults. This research is primarily evaluated on the between-person level, leaving within-person effects largely unexplored. We examined relations between religious activity and spiritual experiences and their relation to life satisfaction and alcohol use among 383 college students at a moderately large university in the southwest USA. Participants completed daily reports of study measures. Multilevel regression indicated that daily religious activities and spiritual experiences were directly, and indirectly through moral emotions, associated with satisfaction with life. Results suggest that students who engage in regular religious activity and spiritual experience see a concomitant increase in life satisfaction.

Quantifying urban park use in the USA at scale: empirical estimates of realised park usage using smartphone location data

A large body of evidence connects access to greenspace with substantial benefits to physical and mental health. In urban settings where access to greenspace can be limited, park access and use have been associated with higher levels of physical activity, improved physical health, and lower levels of markers of mental distress. Despite the potential health benefits of urban parks, little is known about how park usage varies across locations (between or within cities) or over time. We estimated park usage among urban residents (identified as residents of urban census tracts) in 498 US cities from 2019 to 2021 from aggregated and anonymised opted-in smartphone location history data. We used descriptive statistics to quantify differences in park usage over time, between cities, and across census tracts within cities, and used generalised linear models to estimate the associations between park usage and census tract level descriptors. In spring (March 1 to May 31) 2019, 18·9% of urban residents visited a park at least once per week, with average use higher in northwest and southwest USA, and lowest in the southeast. Park usage varied substantially both within and between cities; was unequally distributed across census tract-level markers of race, ethnicity, income, and social vulnerability; and was only moderately correlated with established markers of census tract greenspace. In spring 2019, a doubling of walking time to parks was associated with a 10·1% (95% CI 5·6-14·3) lower average weekly park usage, adjusting for city and social vulnerability index. The median decline in park usage from spring 2019 to spring 2020 was 38·0% (IQR 28·4-46·5), coincident with the onset of physical distancing policies across much of the country. We estimated that the COVID-19-related decline in park usage was more pronounced for those living further from a park and those living in areas of higher social vulnerability. These estimates provide novel insights into the patterns and correlates of park use and could enable new studies of the health benefits of urban greenspace. In addition, the availability of an empirical park usage metric that varies over time could be a useful tool for assessing the effectiveness of policies intended to increase such activities. Google.

25-Year Evaluation of an In-Person Therapeutic Community Program in the Southwest United States between 1994 and 2019

This study investigated the effect of therapeutic community programming and aftercare treatment completion on rearrest rates in the Southwest United States across 25 years. The asymptote of rearrest trajectories did not occur until 10 years post-release, although this varied by risk classification. Treatment receipt was not related to 25-year rearrest trajectories. However, people classified as higher risk were more likely to be rearrested than those classified a low risk while controlling for treatment receipt. Aftercare completion extended the time to arrest; individuals completing an aftercare program were less likely to be arrested, and high-risk participants that completed aftercare showed a similar rearrest trajectory as low-risk participants.

Exploring Canine Picornavirus Diversity in the USA Using Wastewater Surveillance: From High-Throughput Genomic Sequencing to Immuno-Informatics and Capsid Structure Modeling.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resulted in a scale-up of viral genomic surveillance globally. However, the wet lab constraints (economic, infrastructural, and personnel) of translating novel virus variant sequence information to meaningful immunological and structural insights that are valuable for the development of broadly acting countermeasures (especially for emerging and re-emerging viruses) remain a challenge in many resource-limited settings. Here, we describe a workflow that couples wastewater surveillance, high-throughput sequencing, phylogenetics, immuno-informatics, and virus capsid structure modeling for the genotype-to-serotype characterization of uncultivated picornavirus sequences identified in wastewater. Specifically, we analyzed canine picornaviruses (CanPVs), which are uncultivated and yet-to-be-assigned members of the family Picornaviridae that cause systemic infections in canines. We analyzed 118 archived (stored at -20 °C) wastewater (WW) samples representing a population of ~700,000 persons in southwest USA between October 2019 to March 2020 and October 2020 to March 2021. Samples were pooled into 12 two-liter volumes by month, partitioned (into filter-trapped solids [FTSs] and filtrates) using 450 nm membrane filters, and subsequently concentrated to 2 mL (1000×) using 10,000 Da MW cutoff centrifugal filters. The 24 concentrates were subjected to RNA extraction, CanPV complete capsid single-contig RT-PCR, Illumina sequencing, phylogenetics, immuno-informatics, and structure prediction. We detected CanPVs in 58.3% (14/24) of the samples generated 13,824,046 trimmed Illumina reads and 27 CanPV contigs. Phylogenetic and pairwise identity analyses showed eight CanPV genotypes (intragenotype divergence <14%) belonging to four clusters, with intracluster divergence of <20%. Similarity analysis, immuno-informatics, and virus protomer and capsid structure prediction suggested that the four clusters were likely distinct serological types, with predicted cluster-distinguishing B-cell epitopes clustered in the northern and southern rims of the canyon surrounding the 5-fold axis of symmetry. Our approach allows forgenotype-to-serotype characterization of uncultivated picornavirus sequences by coupling phylogenetics, immuno-informatics, and virus capsid structure prediction. This consequently bypasses a major wet lab-associated bottleneck, thereby allowing resource-limited settings to leapfrog from wastewater-sourced genomic data to valuable immunological insights necessary for the development of prophylaxis and other mitigation measures.

How old are the Mojave topographic dunes? The implications of new luminescence dating analyses from the Cady Mountains, Mojave Desert, southwest USA

The aeolian landforms of the Mojave Desert in the SW USA have been studied in detail over the last three decades, particularly in terms of their relationship to the region's topography and Pleistocene climate / sediment supply histories, as well as wider developments, such as the aeolian “sediment state” concept. In this context, the evolution of the Mojave River and its associated palaeolakes is thought to have been a key control on long-term sediment supply to aeolian systems, and luminescence dating chronologies for a range of (resulting) aeolian landforms have been related to these hydrological changes. Here we argue that at least some of these aeolian chronologies need to be re-assessed.We focus on luminescence chronologies for aeolian landforms within and marginal to the Cady Mountains, a mountain block adjacent to the Mojave River and palaeolake Manix, east of Barstow, California. We demonstrate that quartz in this locale exhibits several malign luminescence properties, and that low temperature K-feldspar infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) consistently exhibits high anomalous fading rates. Both contribute to age underestimation. We address these issues via post-infrared IRSL (pIRIR) and post-isothermal post-IR (pIt-IR) analyses of K-feldspars. The resulting ages span the last ~120 ka and imply phases of aeolian activity of a substantially greater antiquity than previously inferred. Notably, at one well-studied site – the Soldier Mountain sand ramp – the new ages suggest a landform dating not to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 1 or 2, as previously suggested, but more likely to MIS 5. The Cady Mountain record indicates that the only period of the last glacial cycle lacking evidence for aeolian sedimentation is ~40–9 ka, broadly consistent with expectations of increased regional humidity. These results also suggest that site topographic context may influence the age structure of aeolian deposits. In this instance, sand ramps consistently represent the oldest type of deposit (range ~ 40–120 ka), while early-mid Holocene dune accumulation is associated with sandsheets and valley-fill sands. Based on these findings, we argue that there is a need to critically re-assess the existing regional luminescence age database, and that there is potential to significantly revise our understanding of the region's aeolian system responses, and associated paleoenvironmental interpretations.