Fixation Drift Increases as a Function of Time-on-Task

Supplemental File: Plots of the slope and intercept effects for the 5 key measures for vertical position data only. Similar plots for the horizontal position data are included in the manuscript.Ocular fixations contain microsaccades, drift and tremor. We report an increase in the 1 slope of linear fixation drift as a function of time-on-task (TOT). We employed a very large dataset (322 distinct subjects, multiple visits per subject). Subjects performed a random saccade task. The task, in which the target dot jumped randomly over the display area every 1 sec, was 100 sec in duration. Fixations were identified using a published classification method. For each fixation, we regressed eye position against time across multiple segment lengths (50, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ms). We started with the first sample and continued until no further regressions were possible based on the particular segment length being evaluated. For each segment length, each fixation was characterized by a single value: the maximum slope over the segment length. The slopes were expressed in deg/sec. We were not interested in the direction of the linear drift so we took the absolute value of the slope as the measure. For data analysis, each 12 100 sec task was divided into five 20 sec epochs. We found that median slope increased 13 across epochs in both session recordings. Although similar trends were found regardless of segment length, the results were clearer and more consistent when using segment lengths of 200 ms or greater. Although we describe these changes in linear drift as 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 related to time-on-task (TOT), we think it is likely, though no certain, that these effects are due to some sort of short-term oculomotor fatigue.Computer Scienc

A Systematic Review of Artificial Intelligence Used to Predict Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Drug Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This systematic literature review evaluates the role of machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and social determinants of health (SDOH) in identifying loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review results provide a summary of the occurrences and predictive percentages of each construct as determined by the literature, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the pandemic's multifaceted impact on loneliness, social isolation, and drug use. Using AI to predict these constructs has remarkable capabilities in identifying individuals at risk and facilitating timely interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes and promote mental health resilience in the face of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving forward, future research is warranted to refine AI algorithms, validate predictive models and utilize AI-based interventions in healthcare and mental health services while ensuring data security, and individuals' privacy.Health Administratio

The Puquios of Las Trancas: A GIS-Based Analysis of Irrigation, Settlement, Political Development, and Colonial Interaction on Peru's South Coast (AD 1-1450)

This thesis takes a geographic information system (GIS) based approach in landscape archeology to explore how different groups interacted with a network of underground aqueducts known as the puquios and the arable land they serve, from the beginning of the Early Intermediate period (EIP) (AD 1 – 650) through the end of the Late Intermediate Period (LIP) (AD 1000 – 1450) in the southernmost valley of the Nasca drainage, called Las Trancas. The project utilizes a combination of diverse geospatial and geostatistical methodological procedures to reconstruct the historical expression of irrigation infrastructure and its spatial relationship to ancient settlements in the valley, including georeferencing historical aerial photographs and satellite imagery, viewshed modeling, least cost path (LCP) analysis, Principle Component Analysis (PCA) of multispectral satellite datasets, and unsupervised machine learning (ML) classification. The processing of multispectral indices enabled the visualization and mapping of a previously undocumented puquio (LTV11), along with auxiliary branches of two others (puquios La Joya and Pampón), which had been reported, but unobserved prior to this work. The results from statistical analyses of viewshed and LCP metrics find that the first puquios in the Las Trancas Valley were likely constructed sometime prior to the 4th century, and a shift from the decentralized irrigation-based social organization shortly after consolidated control of agricultural resources, leading to a more territorial settlement strategy. These settlements were abandoned during the Middle Horizon (AD 500 – 750), as Wari expanded the valley’s irrigation infrastructure and absorbed the puquios into imperial economic networks. As central authority dissolved following the collapse of Wari, irrigation networks remained central to local autonomy and competition during the LIP. These patterns support broader theories of hydraulic management and circumscription, positioning the puquios as enduring instruments of technological innovation, political authority, and adaptive resilience.Anthropolog

Place, Community, and Religion in Philip Roth's "Goodbye Columbus"

No abstract prepared.Englis

Forage utilization and microbial community responses to pine biochar as a feed additive for beef steers

Ruminant livestock contribute ~14.5% to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While the atmospheric lifespan of methane is shorter than of carbon dioxide, it is much more potent, with a 28× greater global warming potential. Due to their reliance on extensive foregut fermentation for diet utilization, enteric methane production is inherent in ruminant animals. However, methanogenesis can be reduced through dietary manipulation. Significant work has been conducted on methane mitigation strategies for domestic cattle production, but each are limited by practical constraints. Therefore, there remains an opportunity to identify feed additives that enhance the sustainability of beef production through reductions in methanogenesis. Biochar, a carbon-rich material traditionally used as a soil amendment, offers a potential dual benefit when utilized as a feed additive: mitigating methane production by modulating rumen microbial communities and restoring pasture ecosystems through amended manure. However, comprehensive in vivo studies utilizing multi-omics approaches are urgently needed to fully understand the potential for biochar as a sustainable feed additive for cattle, including the ideal supplementation rate.Translational Health Research CenterAgricultural Science

Oral History Interview: Frank G. Santana

Transcript file (.pdf) and closed captioning available.Video interview with Robert Espinoza who shares and reflects on his father-in-law Frank G. Santana's life in military service and veteran life

Spaceflight-Induced Changes in Polymicrobial Biofilm Structure and Silver Susceptibility

Biofilms, surface-adherent microbial populations, represent a common mode of bacterial growth in nature and in built environments, including the water recovery system (WRS) in spacecraft. Several factors have been associated with biofilm structure, including shear forces associated with turbulent flow, microbial community composition, and available nutrients and other culture conditions. Here we investigated biofilm formation of a mixed Escherichia coli F11-mCherry - Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1-gfp culture during microgravity in spaceflight, and full gravity (ground control), in BioCellTM flight hardware with an artificial urine medium. At the early 4-d time point in spaceflight samples, the gas-permeable Teflon membrane on the BioCell hardware surface was heavily colonized by green-fluorescing P. aeruginosa, whereas the underlying 316L stainless steel coupon had a notable red-fluorescing E. coli population. The 4-d spaceflight P. aeruginosa Teflon biofilm had a clumped appearance with regions of higher cell density (microcolonies) and low cell density (water channels). Interestingly, the overall structure resembles Van Gogh’s Starry Night. In contrast, the corresponding 4-d ground control P. aeruginosa-dominated Teflon biofilm was completely uniform with no obvious clumping. At later time points (14-d and 117-d), P. aeruginosa became much more prominent on both Teflon and stainless steel surfaces, the unique spaceflight biofilm structures were no longer observed and the overall populations decreased. Based on our results and similar findings of other investigators, we propose that microgravity conditions during spaceflight represent a factor that can influence biofilm structure in some culture conditions.Biolog

The Trap of Visibility: Isolation and Reintigration in The Scarlet Letter

No abstract prepared.Englis

The Role of Organizational (In)Action and Social Capital in Disaster Recovery Pathways

No abstract prepared.Anthropolog

Turning Water to Wine: An Analysis of Texas Wine Industry Water Efficiency

The Texas wine industry is expanding in both scale and reputation (Myles et al, 2022). In 2017, there were 4,600 acres of grapevines in Texas, which grew to 10,160 acres by 2022(USDA, 2022). Sustainability concerns are increasingly visible and valuable to grape growers and wine producers in the state (Collins et al., 2020). Most vineyard acreage in Texas is in the High Plains and Hill Country American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) which rely on regional aquifers for water. With climate change predictions projecting more frequent droughts, water level decline in the Ogallala Aquifer, and legal restrictions on the Edwards Aquifer (Su and Karthikeyan, 2023), understanding water usage in the wine industry is crucial to its ongoing success. This study examines Texas grape growers' water use and perceptions of water management, focusing on the adoption of water-efficient techniques such as drip irrigation, soil moisture monitoring, drought-tolerant grape cultivars, and cover crops. By gathering technology and management strategy data as well as data on the motivations, challenges, and perceived benefits of these techniques, this research employs survey and interview methodologies to provide needed insights into the state of water management in the Texas wine sector. Results demonstrate that drip irrigation was used by all respondents and that water efficiency technologies and strategies, such as deficit irrigation, are underutilized by growers in Texas. Results also reveal a lack of concern among most growers of both current and future water resource availability. Recommendations stemming from this research include increased promotion and awareness among growers of the benefits of water efficient technologies and strategies. Further research should examine the role of education in the implementation of water efficiency strategies.Geography and Environmental Studie