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Eye Movement Prediction for Compensation of Eye Tracking Latency: Evaluation and Analysis
No full textAccurate, low-latency eye tracking (ET) is essential for high-fidelity Extended Reality (XR) experiences. Latency in the ET system is a fundamental issue that can introduce distracting visual artifacts, break immersion, and potentially lead to cybersickness. To close this performance gap and achieve zero system latency, eye movement prediction is used, as hardware and software optimizations alone are often insufficient. This dissertation proposes and evaluates gaze prediction solutions designed to compensate for this remaining latency. The core objective of this work is to accurately predict a user’s future gaze at a specified prediction interval. The contributions of this work span three key areas: eye movement modeling, prediction, and evaluation, including validation strategies that employ metrics specific to the unique properties of the gaze signal.
The results demonstrate that the Bahill per-subject OPMM (Oculomotor Plant Mathematical Model) is the most suitable for application in gaze prediction. It achieves a per-sample Euclidean Distance Error more than two times lower (0.99◦ vs. 1.86◦) than the Enderle per-subject OPMM, demonstrating greater reliability of oculomotor parameters.
The deep learning solutions explored for gaze prediction outperform the OPMM integrated into the Kalman Filter form, across different eye movement types, and when the prediction error is analyzed as a function of individual differences. We found that gaze prediction performance was highly influenced by the individual level of noise in the ET data and by mean saccade velocity.
A Contrastive Transformer Encoder Forecaster (CTEF) network is proposed as a novel solution for short-term gaze prediction. The CTEF outperformed the widely adopted long-short-term memory network (LSTM) model and demonstrated effectiveness not only on average, but also in high-percentile P95 error cases across both fixations and saccades.
In general, this work establishes the solid theoretical and empirical foundation needed for accurate gaze prediction, thereby overcoming the latency barrier in high-fidelity XR.Computer Scienc
Development of an Electrically Heated Sidewalk System for Enhanced Winter Pedestrian Safety
No full textThis study aims to develop an electrically heated sidewalk system to efficiently clear ice and snow from pedestrian walkways, ensuring safety and minimizing environmental impact during winter. While extensive research has been conducted on heated pavement and slab systems for vehicles and aircraft, there is a notable gap in studies focusing on heated sidewalk systems for pedestrians, which are unique due to their disjointed configurations. Concrete mixtures containing 2.2% carbon fibers (CFs) and 0.5% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by cement weight were used to cast the electrically heated concrete side blocks. No. 3 structural rebars served as electrodes to physically connect the side blocks and distribute electrical power to them. A laboratory-scale prototype, consisting of a 5 × 5 block array (750 mm × 750 mm), was constructed to evaluate heating performance. The surface and internal temperatures were measured using an infrared camera and thermocouples, respectively, while consistently powering the prototype with a power supply. The blocks were connected in a parallel electrical configuration to operate the system at low voltage levels. The results indicated a surface temperature increase of 16–20 °C over two hours with a power density ranging from 620 to 830 W/m2, which was sufficient for deicing pedestrian walkways.EngineeringMaterials Science, Engineering, and Commercializatio
Fixation drift increases as a function of time-on-task
No full textSupplemental 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
Engaging Audiences in the 21st Century: A Case Study for Immersive Theatre
No full textThis project seeks to explore and understand the levels of engagement with audiences through immersive and interactive theatre compared to traditional theatre. Since COVID, theaters have struggled to maintain audience retention, causing many nonprofit theaters to go on an extended hiatus, or shut down entirely. One solution to this problem is immersive and interactive theatre that aims to completely immerse audiences into the world of the play, and requires audiences to be active participants in the narrative. For this project, I used the nonlinear structure of the play BRIGHT HALF LIFE to my advantage by turning it into an immersive walkthrough experience in Lampasas Hall. Each scene was put on loop in a different room, requiring active participation from the audience by asking them to move from room to room in order to see the full story. To monitor audience engagement, I collected qualitative data through an audience survey, measuring their engagement with traditional theatre before the performance, and then with immersive theatre after. I will use my findings to present an argument for immersive theatre to be implemented at the collegiate, regional, and professional levels.Theatre, Dance, and Fil
Insect-Mediated Decomposition Analysis: Effects of Sharp Force Trauma on PMI Estimation
No full textNo abstract prepared.Anthropolog
Navigating Broken Systems
No full textThis capstone is a memoir of time in the troubled teen industry, of over three years in programs marketed as treatment but built around control, punishment, and profit. It documents abuse, isolation, forced compliance, and the long-term impact of institutionalization. The narrative includes multiple escapes, time in solitary, and the struggle to rebuild after release. The final section offers policy recommendations focused on staff training, family involvement, patient rights, and developmentally appropriate care. This project argues that these programs often do more harm than good and that reform is both possible and necessary.Creative Writin
An Analysis of the Utilization of New DNA Technology in Police Investigations
No full textThis paper explores the application of new and emerging DNA technologies in modern police investigations, with a focus on the usage of genetic genealogy and genetic phenotyping. Genetic genealogy involves utilizing DNA data from genealogy databases to trace family trees, while genetic phenotyping analyzes genetic markers in DNA to predict physical traits of individuals. Both techniques have been highly effective in criminal investigations, especially when the traditional methods such as CODIS and fingerprinting fall short. This paper highlights new forensic technologies, such as the Snapshot Forensic DNA Phenotyping System and Rapid DNA, which provide advanced capabilities in identifying suspects and solving cold cases. Through research on criminal investigations, including the case on the Golden State Killer, this paper shows how these technologies have been utilized and have been successful in solving high profile criminal cases. This analysis concludes by discussing the future potential of these technologies and their ethical implications in law enforcement practices.Criminal Justice and Criminolog
Tracking Apoptosis in Subterranean and Surface Salamanders during Development
No full textCave-dwelling species often exhibit regressive traits, such as eye loss, driven by developmental and genetic mechanisms that are not well understood. The Cascade Caverns salamander (Eurycea latitans) is endemic to the Edwards Plateau of Texas and lives in the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers; they have surface and subterranean populations. Like many cave-dwelling populations, sight is unnecessary for the subterranean populations, and as adults, they have reduced eyes. However, during development, they initially form features of a functioning eye, including a retina and lens, but these features regress as development progresses. A similar phenomenon is observed in Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus), in which eye regression results from apoptosis following downregulation of pax6 expression. To test the hypothesis that apoptosis drives eye reduction in E. latitans, I examined salamanders at various developmental stages ranging from one-month post-oviposition to three-month post-oviposition using a TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling) assay. Apoptosis is observed in adult E. latitans in the post-orbital bone. However, TUNEL was not detected in any of the larval E. latitans. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm these findings. In the future, this study will allow us to compare eye regression to diverse types of salamanders. Our research may provide insights into convergent evolution and the basis of eye degeneration in subterranean environments.Biolog
Nobody's Fault but Mine: A Film Production from Script to Screen
No full text“Nobody’s Fault but Mine” is a short film written and directed by Texas State Honors student Jack Brown. The film is a dark comedy thriller that follows Cal, a lazy stoner who starts selling drugs. The story tracks Cal’s journey through San Marcos, Texas, as he encounters eccentric characters like Jet Jixon, Drew the Drug Dealer, Party Rock Brock, Handy, and the Red Man. Through a series of events, Cal ends up exactly where he started, urging him to rethink who he is. This film is my love letter to San Marcos, reflecting my thoughts and experiences of growing up at Texas State University.Journalism and Mass Communicatio