Illusion beyond the Fourth Wall: Ludwig Tieck in the Folds of Performance Studies

Since the historical avantgarde declared war on the fourth wall in the early twentieth century, the notion of theatrical illusion has seemed at odds with any kind of critical performance aesthetics. In this dissertation, I examine how this opposition has shaped the disciplines of theater and performance studies, informing both the division of dramatic from postdramatic theater as well as the critique of representational aesthetics. I illustrate how these dualities inform a particular view of theater history and illusion’s place within it, which I contest by examining the theater writings of Ludwig Tieck (1773-1853). Associated with German romanticism, Tieck’s plays have long served as exemplary works of a quintessentially unstageable genre. But through my analysis of his historical and dramaturgical essays, I demonstrate that Tieck’s vision of theater simply exceeds the historical frameworks produced by a field grounded in anti-illusion bias. I adopt his play about the performance of a play by the same name, Der gestiefelte Kater (1797), to illustrate how Tieck’s depiction of illusion theater stages an intervention into the discussion of theater around 1800, liberally crossing the fourth wall in order to advance a less restrictive notion of illusion. By locating aesthetic effect in the interplay of perception and imagination, empathy and enchantment, Tieck’s model of illusion advances the mission he assigns to the institution of public theater: overcoming partisanship by revealing the dogmatic dimensions of paratheatrical discourses

The Role of Leptin in Metabolic Programming

A wide range of developmental exposures can influence the establishment of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone onto metabolically relevant organs, such as the pancreas, liver, kidney, and adipose tissues, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. Previous studies have shown that rearing mice at an ambient temperature of 30°C vs. 22°C from birth to 8 weeks of life programs lasting effects on SNS tone onto interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the capacity to respond to a chronic cold challenge. We used this system to define a critical period of development and a molecular mediator of these effects. We compared the number of sympathetic neurons in the stellate ganglion labeled with a cholera toxin subunit B retrograde trace from BAT (SGBAT) across the first 8 weeks of life in C57BL6/J mice reared at 30°C vs. 22°C. There is a marked decrease in the number of SGBAT neurons after weaning in 30°C-reared mice until 8 weeks of age. Analysis of the transcriptional profiles of BAT via bulk RNA-Seq in mice raised at 30°C vs. 22°C revealed that leptin is differentially expressed during the critical period. Complementary leptin gain- and loss-of-function studies support the idea that leptin expression in BAT, and not from the circulation, establishes BAT SNS tone during development. Mechanisms identified here will provide a framework for analogous studies of SNS tone in other organs that are also implicated in developmental programming of health and disease

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Contributions of the superior colliculus to covert decision termination

Many decisions require us to actively interrogate the world using our senses. Based on what we perceive, we may commit to an immediate course of action or plan for future actions. The neuroscience of perceptual decision-making examines how the brain gathers sensory information and uses it to guide behavior. A widely accepted model represents this decision process as the gradual accumulation of sensory evidence until a threshold or criterion is reached. For decisions about the direction of random-dot motion (RDM) stimuli, extensive research has described the mechanisms of evidence accumulation in association areas such as the lateral intraparietal area (LIP). Recent studies have also made progress in identifying the biological basis of the decision threshold. For overt decisions marked by an immediate saccadic response, neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) are thought to set this threshold by initiating eye movements when LIP activity is sufficiently elevated. Additionally, reversible inactivation of SC neurons has been shown to prolong evidence accumulation in LIP, suggesting that SC neurons play a causal role in terminating the decision process. However, it remains unknown whether SC neurons also contribute to covert decision termination, where commitment results in a planned, rather than an immediate, eye movement. To address this gap, I recorded neural activity from two rhesus macaques as they performed a RDM discrimination task, where I varied the length of the stimulus and delay periods from trial to trial. This design required the animals to make a covert commitment to a choice on each trial, which they later reported with a saccade following the delay period. Using high channel-count electrodes, I recorded simultaneously from large populations of neurons in SC, LIP, and the dorsal pulvinar of the thalamus (dPul) unilaterally. In a majority of trials, SC neurons exhibited non-saccadic bursts — bursts of activity not associated with eye movements or specific trial events. The timing of these non-saccadic bursts suggested they might signal the moment of decision termination. Testing this hypothesis, I found that non-saccadic bursts effectively divided each trial into an early deliberation phase, where sensory evidence informed the decision, and a later commitment phase, where further sensory evidence was ignored. Additionally, the timing of non-saccadic bursts in the SC corresponded with the end of evidence accumulation in LIP. Finally, I identified a population of neurons in dPul that may relay this termination signal from SC to LIP. This study advances our understanding of perceptual decision-making by broadening the function of the SC in decision termination. Beyond its established role in terminating overt decisions with an immediate saccadic report, these findings suggest that the SC also contributes to decision termination following covert commitments, where the saccade occurs after a delay. The results have important implications for systems neuroscience by offering a clear example of serial computations occurring across dedicated cortical and subcortical areas to guide flexible behavior. While the path from sensation to deliberation to commitment is far from fully understood, these results lay the groundwork for future research — both to explore the role of additional nodes in the decision-making network and to investigate the local circuits that give rise to distinct functions within each node. In Chapter 1, I provide historical context on the neurobiology of perceptual decision-making, introduce the bounded evidence accumulation model, and discuss its application to both overt and covert decisions. I also motivate the present study by introducing the superior colliculus and its known role in the decision-making network. In Chapter 2, I investigate physiological markers of decision commitment in the SC. I describe non-saccadic bursts, which are physiological events that occur on single trials, and demonstrate how these events relate to covert decision termination. In Chapter 3, I examine how non-saccadic bursts in the SC might be involved in terminating the process of evidence accumulation in LIP and show how neurons in dPul might mediate this effect. Chapter 4 presents closing considerations and outlines directions for future research

Role of preconception nutrition supplements in maternal anemia and intrauterine growth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Impaired intrauterine growth, a significant global health problem, contributes to a higher burden of infant morbidity and mortality, mainly in resource-poor settings. Maternal anemia and undernutrition, two important causes of impaired intrauterine growth, are prioritized by global nutrition targets of 2030. We synthesized the evidence on the role of preconception nutrition supplements in reducing maternal anemia and improving intrauterine growth. Methods We undertook a review of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of preconception nutrition supplements on maternal hemoglobin, an indicator to estimate maternal anemia, and markers of intrauterine growth including birth weight, length, head circumference, and small for gestational age. Additionally, we examined preterm birth as an important perinatal outcome. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, and Embase. We computed summary mean differences and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effect models. We employed I2 and Cochran’s Q test statistics to assess heterogeneity. We used a revised Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB version 2.0) and GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation) tools to assess the risk of bias and quality of evidence of eligible RCTs, respectively. Results We identified 20 eligible RCTs (n = 27,659 women). Preconception nutrition supplements (iron and folic acid, multiple micronutrients, and a lipid-based nutrient supplement) overall increased maternal hemoglobin by 0.30 g/dL ((0.03, 0.57); I2 = 79%; n=9). However, we did not find a significant effect of the supplements on birth weight (12.25 gm ((− 22.66, 47.16); I2 = 55%; n=10)), length (0.15 cm (− 0.26, 0.56); I2 = 68%; n = 5), head circumference (− 0.23 cm (− 0.88, 0.43); I2 = 84%; n=4), small for gestational age (RR 0.91 (0.80, 1.04); I2 = 31%; n=8), or preterm birth (RR 0.93 (0.69,1.25); I2 = 57%; n=12). In general, the quality of evidence was assessed as very low to moderate. Conclusion Preconception nutrition supplements studied to date appear to reduce maternal anemia. However, it is uncertain whether there are beneficial effects of the supplements on intrauterine growth. Low quality of evidence warrants future well-designed RCTs to produce solid scientific data, particularly of a more comprehensive package of preconception nutrition supplements that include both macro- and micronutrients. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42023464966

GRID3 COD - Health Zones v4.0

The GRID3 COD - Health Zones v4.0 dataset consists of health zone boundaries with name, location, and other related attributes for fourteen provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD). Province group 1: Haut-Katanga, Kasaï, Kasaï-Oriental, Kinshasa, and Lomami Province group 2: Haut-Lomami and Tanganyika Province group 3: Ituri and Kwilu Province group 4: Maniema Province group 5: Kasaï-Central Province group 6: Tshopo and Mongala Province group 7: Haut-Katanga, Kasaï, and Kasaï-Oriental (updates); Sankuru This operational dataset has not been fully validated by government officials or ministries. This current version supersedes the GRID3 COD - Health Zones v3.0 (https://doi.org/10.7916/hb9r-8p34). The following changes were made: Updated data for the provinces of Haut-Katanga, Kasaï, Kasaï-Oriental, Tshopo and Mongala. Data for Sankuru Province have been added. A data sources table has been included as part of the metadata. Keywords: Health Zone

The impact of COVID vaccination on incidence of long COVID and healthcare resource utilisation in a primary care cohort in England, 2021–2022

Background Long COVID, a diverse set of symptoms that persist after a minimum of 4 weeks from the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, has posed substantial burden to healthcare systems. There is some evidence that COVID-19 vaccination may be associated with lower risk of long COVID. However, little is known about the association between vaccination status and long COVID-associated healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and costs. Methods We conducted a cohort study using primary care electronic health record data in England from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum dataset linked to Hospital Episode Statistics where available. Adult (≥ 18 years) patients were indexed on a COVID-19 diagnosis between 1st March 2021 and 1st December 2021. Vaccination status was assessed at index: unvaccinated or completed primary series (two doses for immunocompetent and three doses for immunocompromised patients). Covariate balance was conducted using entropy balancing. Weighted multivariable Poisson regression was used to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for incident long COVID, and separately long COVID primary care resource use, by vaccination status. Patients were followed up to a maximum of 9-months post index. Results A total of 35,713 patients who had completed primary series vaccination, and 75,522 unvaccinated patients were included. The weighted and adjusted IRR for long COVID among patients vaccinated with the primary series compared to being unvaccinated was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77–0.86) in the overall cohort, 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78–0.88) in the immunocompetent cohort and 0.28 (95% CI: 0.13–0.58) in the immunocompromised cohort. Among those with long COVID, there was no association between the rate of primary care consultations and vaccination status in the overall and immunocompetent cohorts. Cost of primary care consultations was greater in the unvaccinated group than for those who completed primary series. Conclusion Vaccination against COVID-19 may reduce the risk of long COVID in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. However, no association was found between frequency of primary care visits and vaccination among patients diagnosed in 2021. Future studies with larger sample size, higher vaccine uptake, and longer study periods during the pandemic are needed to further quantify the impact of vaccination on long COVID

GRID3 COD - Health Facilities v4.0

The GRID3 COD - Health Facilities v4.0 dataset consists of health facility points with name, location, health zone, and health area, among other attributes, for fourteen provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD). Province group 1: Haut-Katanga, Kasaï, Kasaï-Oriental, Kinshasa, and Lomami Province group 2: Haut-Lomami and Tanganyika Province group 3: Ituri and Kwilu Province group 4: Maniema Province group 5: Kasaï-Central Province group 6: Tshopo and Mongala Province group 7: Haut-Katanga, Kasaï, and Kasaï-Oriental (updates); Sankuru This operational dataset has not been fully validated by government officials or ministries. This current version supersedes the GRID3 COD - Health Facilities v3.0 (https://doi.org/10.7916/1c3h-tc02). The following changes were made: Updated data for the provinces of Haut-Katanga, Kasaï, Kasaï-Oriental, Tshopo and Mongala. Data for Sankuru Province have been added. A data sources table has been included as part of the metadata. Keywords: Health Facilitie

Exploring Quantum Many-Body Physics with Computational Methods

This thesis presents an investigation into quantum many-body systems using both theoretical and innovative computational techniques. It has two parts: an investigation of a new class of materials using established methods, and the development of a new set of methods. First, we use Hartree-Fock calculation to study the moiré Hubbard model that represents the low energy physics of twisted WSe₂ and related materials. In these materials, interaction strength, carrier concentration, and band structure can be controlled by the twist angle and gate voltage. A notable feature is the tunable displacement field, i.e., the gate voltage difference between two layers, leading to a highly tunable van Hove singularity. We calculate the magnetic and metal-insulator phase diagrams and find a reentrant metal-insulator transition controlled by the displacement field. Experimental results for devices with twist angle ∼ 4-5° indicate a similar reentrance, placing these devices in the intermediate coupling regime. Building on this, the next chapter employs dynamical mean field theory (DMFT) to study the moiré Hubbard model, extending our analysis to include temperature-dependent transport behaviors and phase transitions. We observe that the cube-root van Hove singularity () ∼ ||⁻¹/³ contributes to strange metal behavior, characterized by a linear temperature-dependent scattering rate and / scaling. We compare the results to the experimental findings in twisted homobilayer WSe₂ and heterobilayer MoTe₂ /WSe₂. We find that in twisted WSe₂, the continuous metal-insulator transition is driven by a magnetic transition associated with a change of the displacement field that brings the high order van Hove point of degree three to the Fermi level. The proximity to this van Hove point also induces a linear resistivity. In MoTe₂/WSe₂, one has a paramagnetic metal to paramagnetic Mott insulator transition driven by variation of the bandwidth, with the displacement field effects being unimportant. In the third study we use the example of magic angle twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) to study the interplay between correlation and band topology. We construct the Wannier basis for TBG involving two triangular site-centered Wannier functions per unit cell derived from the two flat bands per spin per valley. The two crucial point symmetries ₂ and ₃ act locally on the Wannier functions. The Wannier functions have a power-law tail indicative of topological obstruction, but are mostly localized with most charge density concentrated within a single unit cell. This localization significantly enhances the on-site Coulomb interactions relative to interactions with further neighbors, allowing for more accurate estimation of Hamiltonian parameters using a limited set of Wannier functions. Using DMFT, we show that a mixed position/ momentum space representation can be employed, in which the kinetic energy is expressed in the momentum space basis of non-interacting eigenstates, so that all the topological features are exact and well preserved, while the interaction part may be expressed in position space and inherit convenient locality and symmetry properties from the Wannier functions. Finally, we introduce a novel, data-driven approach to compress the two-particle vertex function. Using PCA and an autoencoder neural network, we achieve significant reductions in complexity while maintaining high fidelity in representing the underlying physics. We demonstrate that a linear PCA not only provides deeper physical insights but also exhibits superior zero-shot generalization compared to more complex nonlinear models. Further, we explore the relationships between different quantum states by identifying principal component subspaces common across known phases. Our analysis reveals that while the vertex functions necessary for describing ferromagnetic states differ significantly from those describing the Fermi liquid state, those required for antiferromagnetic and superconducting states share a common foundation, hinting at their emergence from pre-existing fluctuations in the Fermi liquid state

Defamiliarizing the Voice: Approaches to Vocal Composition in the Music of Anna Korsun, Charmaine Lee, and Anna-Louise Walton

The voice is a unique instrument which is integrated into the body and culturally trained from birth. Due to its distinctive identity, many composers have the instinct to obfuscate its humanness in search of an instrument more malleable to their creative pursuits. I present Viktor Shklovsky’s concept of defamiliarization, "to increase the difficulty and length of perception,” as a framework for this approach to the voice. I posit that making the voice unfamiliar or strange provokes a heightened state of listening. By contemplating whether a sound’s source is human or not, the listener perceives the voice anew. I look first to Anna Korsun’s piece Ulenflucht for twenty singing and playing performers, which integrates primal vocal techniques with animal calls and bird whistles to create an imagined environment in which the voice is one of many creatures. I then turn to the vocal improvisations of Charmaine Lee, whose intimate integration of her voice with technology blurs the boundaries between human and machine. Finally, I relate the music of Korsun and Lee to one of my pieces, the deep glens where they lived for vocal sextet, which mediates the voice with PVC pipes and close microphone techniques. This music explores the rich and fragile nature of the human voice, and in so doing reframes, reimagines, and redefines it