Brute Gamification

Digital platforms are surreptitious structures that gamify the ways in which we engage and exchange. They dictate every step of our journeys even as we navigate onward with a sense of absolute agency. The harder that we try to win, the more the platform will win! In Brute Gamification, I employ image-based installation and performance to unravel the terms and conditions with which these platforms dictate our lives. A literal platform supports a series of image-games, all of which are about to end in a draw. Through prescribing the user to a designated path to focus on this non-ending as well as recalibrating traditional usage of business frameworks in the narratives of my lecture performances, what I propose is a mode of playing that tethers to the path itself

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF LIMITING ORAL INTAKE OF THIN LIQUIDS AFTER ACUTE STROKE

Background and Aims Although thickened liquids are often recommended for post-stroke dysphagia in order to limit aspiration and its sequelae, it is unclear if they achieve this goal. This dissertation explored relationships between dysphagia, liquid restrictions, and outcomes of aspiration pneumonia and urinary tract infection (UTI) during acute-care hospitalization for stroke. Methods We reviewed charts for 1216 individuals admitted with stroke to an acute-care hospital (December 2021-August 2024). Logistic regression analyses were used to examine relationships between stroke type/location/lateralization/severity, length-of-stay (LOS), age, sex-assigned-at-birth, dysphagia, smoking, dentition, liquid intake restrictions \u3e1 day, and outcomes of aspiration pneumonia and UTI. Results Aspiration pneumonia and UTI incidence were 114 (9.8%) and 122 (10%), respectively. Dysphagia was documented in 385 (32%) of the 1,216 sample. Instrumental swallowing assessments were performed in only 214 (18%) cases. Thickened liquids were recommended for 43 (3.5%) and NPO for 286 (23.5%). In 96/329 (29%) of the cases where liquid restrictions were ordered there was no dysphagia diagnosis present. Significantly increased odds of aspiration pneumonia were associated with: LOS\u3e11 days (4.5-fold); female sex (1.95-fold); thickened liquids (11-fold) and nothing by mouth (27.6-fold), independent of dysphagia diagnosis. Significantly increased odds of UTI were associated with: LOS\u3e11 days (2.5-fold); age\u3e60 (1.96-fold); female sex (0.39-fold); and NPO recommendation (2-fold). Conclusions In this acute stroke cohort, dysphagia, by itself, did not significantly predict aspiration pneumonia or UTI. NPO recommendations were highly associated with increased odds of both adverse outcomes, while thickened liquids were associated with increased odds of aspiration pneumonia. The early diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia and UTI during the hospital course suggests that factors unrelated to liquid intake restriction may explain these sequelae

Characteristics of Permanent Teeth Undergoing Surgical Endodontic Evaluation: A Retrospective Study

Objective: This study examines the pre-surgical clinical and radiographic characteristics that may influence the choice of apicoectomy over nonsurgical retreatment in a more detailed approach, focusing on the clinical factors that come into the evaluation phase. We hypothesize that there are certain patterns observed through a pre-operative CBCT that may impact the decision for surgical intervention. The study aims to assess patterns in the decision-making in surgical treatment planning. Methods: Retrospective review analyzing 142 cases treated or planned for apicoectomy by VCU endodontic residents. Data collected from CBCT and PA radiographs included: restorations, quality of prior root canal treatment, presence and size of periapical lesions, posts, separated instruments, untreated canals, root curvature, cortical plate integrity, crestal bone status, resorption, and proximity to anatomical structures. Results: Large periapical lesions and cases with cortical plate perforations were significantly associated with apicoectomies. Majority of cases had PAI scores of 4 or 5 with 76% of cases involving buccal cortical plate perforations. There was marginal significance associated between the quality of the root canal treatment and PAI scores (p=0.0847). Separated instruments was found in 4% of cases and not associated with larger lesion sizes. Conclusion: Larger lesions, cortical plate perforations (specifically the buccal) were significant indicators that were common in cases treatment planned for apicoectomies. The presence of a post was seen in over one-third of cases. Separated instruments, untreated canals, vertical defects, approximation to IAN or mental foramen, resorption and moderate-severe root curvatures were not commonly associated with cases treatment planed for apicoectomies

In Support of Equitable Research Collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions

There are increasing opportunities for federal research funding at minority-serving institutions (MSIs), including requirements and incentives for R1 institutions to collaborate with MSIs. Even with the availability of these opportunities, faculty from R1s who work with faculty from MSIs - especially those MSI faculty who are minoritized - may face a variety of barriers in forming equitable collaborative relationships. There are several best practices that faculty and research administrators can employ to address these inequities and foster inclusive collaborative partnerships

Attention Problems in Black Children Presenting to Pediatric Integrated Primary Care: Comorbidities and Gender Differences

Introduction: Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a lifetime prevalence rate of 8.7% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Numerous previous studies have exhibited how ADHD can be debilitating with both symptoms and impairments, but Black youth remain understudied (Green et al., 2024). To add, ADHD may present differently depending on one’s gender (Young et al. 2020), and bias has been shown to influence ratings of someone’s ADHD symptoms (Fairman et al., 2020). To combat these health disparities seen within the literature, this study aimed to describe attention problems in Black youth and to investigate whether attention problems or gender were a predictor of internalizing or externalizing comorbidities. Methods: Participants were 299 Black youth (Mage = 10.76 years, SDage = 3.70, 51.3% female, 81.6% receiving Medicaid) who presented with their caregivers to the Southeastern United States integrated pediatric primary care clinic for mental health concerns. Participants’ caregivers completed the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 (PSC-17; Gardner et al., 1999) and demographic information at the clinic. The PSC-17 collects caregiver concerns about youth mental health symptoms across three subscales: attention, internalizing, and externalizing problems. This study is a secondary data analysis of a larger study on the treatment of mental health problems in youth presenting to integrated pediatric primary care. Results: In the total sample, the mean attention problems score was 6.28 (SD = 2.56), with 52.8% of the sample being rated above the clinical cut-off for the subscale (i.e., in need of treatment for attention problems). Additionally, in the total sample of Black youth, attention problems significantly predicted externalizing problems (B = .559, p.05). Finally, there were gender differences in severity, such that Black males were more likely to have been rated above the clinical cut-off for attention problems than females Χ2 (2, N = 297) = 17.29, p Discussion: In the current sample of Black youth, boys scored higher on the PSC-17 for externalizing and attention problems, aligning with previous research. However, the girls in the sample scored higher than what was found in the literature on the PSC-17 across all domains, which contradicts previous research stating that girls are more likely to only experience internalizing comorbidities. Limitations of the study included the lack of diagnostic data. For future directions, prevention programs should be set in place with this study’s findings in mind to help mediate symptoms and impairments

Analysis of FDA-Authorized and Unregulated E-Liquids

The evolution of nicotine delivery systems has responded to consumer and cultural demands, from the Cigalike of the early 2000s to the current day’s disposable vapes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) for tobacco and nicotine product manufacturers in 2021. Only 34 out of over a million products have been issued Market Granted Orders (MGOs) and are allowed to be marketed, distributed, and sold as “FDA-authorized”. The products deemed as “FDA-authorized” should contain a precise and accurate nicotine concentration, as well as minimal flavorants and additional compounds. In the presented study, 223 FDA-authorized and 13 unregulated e-cigs were acquired for analysis. Gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS), headspace gas chromatography – dual flame ionization detection (HS-GC-FID), and liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to characterize the components of each e-liquid, identify any volatile compounds, and quantify nicotine and 6-methyl-nicotine. Untargeted analysis revealed that the average number of compounds in a product’s e-liquid differed between the FDA-authorized and unregulated sample groups, due to the unregulated products\u27 wider range of flavors with less regulation. Determined nicotine concentrations of three lots of FDA-authorized products (n = 24) varied from the labeled nicotine concentration by 3.9% to 46.8%. Continued surveillance of both FDA-authorized and unregulated vape products will help monitor how manufacturers respond and adhere to regulatory policy changes, track issues with quality assurance practices, and inform and educate consumers about the health and safety risks associated with product use

INTUITIVE MIXED REALITY INTERFACES FOR CREATIVE AND INTERACTIVE ROBOTICS: ROBOART, MAGNAFORMA, AND PLAYMEOW

This thesis details the development and application of intuitive Mixed Reality (MR) interfaces designed to broaden access to robotic control for creative and interactive uses. The central contribution is the RoboART system, a novel MR interface built with the Microsoft HoloLens 2 to program an ABB GoFa collaborative robot for non-expert users, such as artists. The work describes RoboART\u27s application in the Magnaforma project, where it enabled complex artistic expression. Additionally, the thesis introduces the PlayMeow project, which explores adaptive pet interaction through a laser-guided turret. This system\u27s control strategies were deeply informed by the intuitive paradigms developed for RoboART, showcasing the transferability of MR-based interaction models. This work underscores the advantages of intuitive spatial interfaces in enhancing usability and reducing cognitive load. It explores the architectural considerations (using Unity), the role of sensing, and evaluation methodologies through the lens of these case studies (artistic expression and pet interaction). The collective contributions highlight a path toward more accessible and intelligent human-robot and animal-robot interaction

Searching Effectively: Basic Principles and Practical Tips for Better Results

This handout updates Doing a Good Search: Basic Rules and Search Tips, originally published in 2024. It outlines the basic principles of doing a good search, from identifying a topic and formulating a clear question to selecting and searching at least two databases. It also includes information on Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), subject headings, and Google Scholar. New to this iteration of the document are best practices for using artificial intelligence in literature and evidence searches. Remember: Searching is an iterative process, which involves repeated cycles of refinement. Your approach will shift depending on the specific question you\u27re trying to answer. Update of Doing a Good Search: Basic Rules and Search Tips (2024) The original version appeared in the following article: McGrath, J. M., Brown, R. E., & Samra, H. A. (2012). Before you search the literature: how to prepare and get the most out of citation databases. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews, 12(3), 162–170

A Formidable Female Network: The Role of Women in William Henry Fox Talbot’s Establishment of Early Photography

This paper explores how women assisted William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) to establish his Photogenic Drawing and Calotype photographic processes in Great Britain and Europe. Utilising preserved contemporary correspondence as a primary source of unedited transcribed conversations, the genesis of photography can be revisited from an alternative viewpoint of extensive familial collaboration. Letters between Talbot and his female relatives exposed a sophisticated network of interconnected mid 19th century social elite, providing multiple opportunities for informal advocacy and timely dissemination of the new scientific art. Epistolary exchanges from 1839 to 1858 provide new insights into women’s subtle, less visible influence on the progress of early photography, emerging through a complex framework of revelatory dialogues between Talbot and dedicated female photographic conduits. The study also acknowledges photographic advocacy continued by Talbot’s granddaughter in 1934 marking a century of women’s unique support in promoting the birth of photography. The paper concludes that women in Talbot’s extended family played a key role in the promotion of early photography in Britain and Europe

The Delario House: A Novel

It is 1924 and Annette Rivers, a young, black jazz singer, has been offered the deal of a lifetime. In return for an unimaginable amount of money, she will aid a reclusive, white author named Arthur Vontegrey in penning a musical—all she must do is travel to Richmond, Virginia, and live at his estate, the Delario House. Nettie’s career is finally beginning to take off, but Arthur’s deal offers her exactly what she has always yearned for—a freedom that she believes only financial security can provide. But the longer Nettie stays, the more she realizes that they are not alone in the house. The dead are everywhere here—the ghost of her enslaved ancestor plagues her at night, a white woman’s spirit insists upon passing a strange grimoire off to her, a kind young man whom she befriends turns out to be the long-dead brother of the very author with whom she works. And Arthur himself is no less strange. He disappears for days at a time, is cold and aloof, and offers little guidance on the musical he had seemed so desperate to write. And at night, doors open to rooms that do not exist in the day, hallways stretch to nowhere, and the very walls seems to breathe and shift all around her. But the more they work together, the deeper Nettie falls in love with Arthur. And despite the house’s strangeness, she begins to feel bizarrely attached to it, as well. As the months pass, so too does her desire to leave. And as Nettie begins to unravel the secrets of the Delario House, she discovers the real reason. A curse keeps the dead living in this place, and it ensures that the living cannot die. And this curse is weaving its way into Nettie too, ensuring that soon, she, like Arthur and the other tenants of the estate, will never be able to leave—not permanently. The very freedom that Nettie came to the house hoping to attain may be taken from her forever. And worse, she discovers that Arthur, the man for whom she has fallen, has lied to her. He brought her to the house not to write a musical, but in the hopes that she could take someone else’s place in the curse, her freedom to be traded for theirs. Nettie must find the courage to break this curse—one that was put into place by her ghostly ancestor who haunts the halls, and sometimes, Nettie’s dreams. The Delario House is a 100,000 word adult gothic novel. For fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic, this book explores themes of blackness, freedom, ownership, found family, and ill-fated love. In The Delario House, Shirley Jackson’s ghost stories meet Nella Larsen’s Harlem Renaissance narratives