SHAREOK Repository
Not a member yet
49261 research outputs found
Sort by
[GAUI [GUT YA[BAHE:GAU: KIOWA WORD WARRIORS AND THEIR LITERARY PURPOSE
No full textThis work examines select literature created by Kiowa authors, poets, and playwrights as an extension of their traditional role as warriors, members of warrior societies, and the values that these warriors still uphold today. These values are identified as respect for Mother Earth; resistance against necropolitical forces of genocide and human rights abuse as encouraged by U.S. federal Indian policy; and the preservation of Kiowa culture for present and future generations
Experiences of Aging in Society Project
Get PDFThe Experiences of Aging in Society project is investigating how societal beliefs about aging and older adults may affect health. This report (#2) presents information about findings on racial and ethnic differences in ageism and health in a multi-ethnic sample of over 200 U.S. adults ages 50 and older. We share information about racial/ethnic variations in everyday ageism (both amount and different forms reported), associations between ageism and health (number of chronic conditions, mental health, fight or flight stress responses), positive experiences of aging, and strategies used for coping for ageism.Study conducted by the Stress & Health Disparities Lab at the University of OklahomaN
THE BATTLE FOR BELIEVABILITY: SEXUAL TRAUMA, TESTIMONY, AND VICTIMHOOD IN ANNA BURNS’ MILKMAN AND RUTH OZEKI’S A TALE FOR THE TIME BEING
Get PDFThe widespread under-reporting of rape and sexual assault is largely attributed to the victim-blaming attitudes and routine disbelief of women in our culture. Believability–or what makes someone believable–lies at the center of this social dilemma, and raises critical questions surrounding the cultural reception of trauma narratives. This essay posits that exploring representations of sexual assault and survivor testimonies in literary fiction offers insight into the societal norms and power dynamics shaping perceptions of truth and credibility, particularly regarding gender and race. Through a comparative analysis informed by feminist theory and trauma studies, this essay examines how Anna Burns’ Milkman (2018) and Ruth Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being (2013) employ imaginative storytelling to navigate trauma, resistance, and agency in the aftermath of sexual violence. Furthermore, it explores the reception of these narratives, both within and beyond their fictional storyworlds, highlighting the contrasting responses of disbelief and acceptance. Ultimately, this thesis argues that Milkman and A Tale for the Time Being work to expose and critique cultural perceptions of sexual violence and victimhood, and as a result, emerge as individual, innovative forms of advocacy
Metadata Justice: Inclusive Description Through a Critical Lens
Get PDFTreshani Perera gave the keynote for the 2024 Metadata Justice in Oklahoma Libraries & Archives Symposium where she called for continual critical engagement in library work, both in assessing the language, systems, and metadata we use and create, as well as the need for critically assessing inclusivity, representation, and bias in library work more broadl
ACTIVATION OF MURINE DENDRITIC CELLS THROUGH STING PATHWAY INTERACTIONS WITH GLYCATED CHITOSAN
Get PDFN-dihydrogalactochitosan (Glycated Chitosan, GC) is a promising immunoadjuvant for cancer therapeutics. Synthesized from chitin and galactose, GC stimulates the innate and adaptive antitumor immune responses more potently than its parent molecule, chitosan, giving it great potential for therapeutic applications. However, the cellular mechanisms of GC have yet to be fully investigated. In previous studies, it has been demonstrated that GC has strong interactions with dendritic cells (DCs) where interactions of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and the stimulation of type I IFN are essential for the antitumor response. The activation of DCs via the STING pathway has been shown to lead to inflammatory cell death that further enhances the antitumor response and recruitment of antigen presenting cells. Herein we investigated STING-GC interactions within murine DCs, using immunofluorescence (IF), western blotting, and bulk RNA sequencing analysis to determine STING-GC colocalization in the lysosome. Using the Western blot, lysates isolating the cellular components of murine dendritic cells allowed for identification of STINGs location following GC stimulation. Within the lysosomal isolate, increased expression of STING was observed, indicating STING trafficking to the lysosome post GC stimulation. IF antibody staining allowed visualization of cellular vesicles, STING, and GC. By tagging lysosomal markers (LAMP 1) and STING, it can be seen that STING and GC are contained within swollen intracellular vesicles indicating cell stress. Through bulk RNA sequencing analysis of wild type and STING knockout (KO) mice, an upregulation of lysosomal genes dependent on STING were detected indicating immunogenic cell death (ICD) via lysosomal activity is occurring. Furthermore, upregulation of genes associated with the NLRP3 pathway was visualized post GC stimulation indicating cross talk between GC, STING, and NLRP3 pathway ICD. Visualizing the GC-STING relation is an important step in identifying the cellular mechanisms of GC, paving the way for further understanding of GC’s immunological mechanism and the optimization of therapeutic applications using GC as an immunostimulant
Analysis of the anti-cancer effects of Taraxacum officinale seed extract
Get PDFTaraxacum officinale, known as dandelion, has been used in traditional medicines for centuries. In recent years, researchers have started to investigate the potential anti-cancer effects of dandelion extracts. The purpose of this thesis was to determine the gaps in and expand upon the current research involving these extracts. It was determined that experimentation on the anti-cancer effects of extracts derived from the seeds of T.officinale was lacking in the current literature. Cancerous HeLa cells and non-cancerous human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) cells were treated with dandelion seed extract (DSE), and the effect was studied; focusing on the viability and migration of cells along with an analysis of the effects on gene activity- specifically on SFRP1, Axin2, and BMF- via transcriptomic analysis and western blot testing. BMF is involved in apoptosis. Axin2 and SFRP1 are involved in the Wnt Pathway. It was found that there was no significant difference between the effect the DSE treatment had on the viability of the HeLa cell versus on the HDF cells. The migration assay showed that there were significant differences between the cancerous and non-cancerous cells at certain concentrations. It was shown, and later confirmed via western blots, that the DSE treatment affected the above genes in a way that suggested treatment caused a decrease in apoptotic activity and an increase in the activity of the Wnt Pathway in cancerous cells more than in non-cancerous cells
THE IMPACT OF THE LIGHTS OUT TEXAS ADVISORY CAMPAIGN ON NIGHT SKY BRIGHTNESS AND BIRD COLLISION FATALITIES
No full textLight pollution caused by artificial light at night (ALAN) is accelerating across the globe. ALAN interferes with biological processes such as nocturnal bird migration in several ways including mortality through bird window collisions. Some cities have started light reduction advisory campaigns during migration seasons to combat the adverse effects of ALAN on birds, but there has yet to be quantification of sky brightness reduction during these advisories. For chapter 1, I measured night sky brightness (NSB) in metro Dallas and Houston, Texas using Sky Quality Meters (SQMs) on 12 Lights Out, Texas advisory participant building rooftops to document the efficacy of the program. Though I found these cities are brightly lit compared to their rural counterparts, I did not find significant difference in light pollution reduction during the advisory. In chapter 2, I address if changes in regional night sky brightness impact the number of nightly fatalities documented. I present generalized linear mixed models assessing nightly nocturnal fatalities in the cities of Dallas and Houston during the 2022-2023 Lights Out, Texas monitoring season as compared to regional migration traffic rate and local atmospheric conditions including weather, lunar, and night sky brightness (NSB). Migration traffic rate has the strongest positive relationship with bird window fatalities across cities and seasons. Occasionally, weather variables that are conducive to bird migration in the spring and fall were also positively related to fatalities. Moon illumination percent was also consistently negatively associated with bird fatalities across cities and seasons. While these mechanisms are unclear, I hypothesize a more complex relationship between natural light, artificial light, and glass is at play. While NSB was not a significant variable in the models, the Lights Out, Texas campaign retains potential for effectiveness at the window scale. More research is needed on scales and complex interactions at which these variables influence bird mortality
ON THE MULTIFACETED COMPLEXITIES OF FAIR RESOURCE ALLOCATION PROBLEMS IN NETWORK SYSTEMS AND HOW TO ADDRESS THEM VIA MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING
No full textThe challenge of fair resource allocation within supply and demand network systems represents a critical issue in the realm of cyber-physical-social systems (CPSS). Addressing this problem is essential for enhancing societal well-being and optimizing decision-making processes in complex, interconnected environments. This dissertation aims to provide a comprehensive study on this topic, utilizing mathematical programming techniques to navigate the intricacies of fair resource allocation.
Initially, the dissertation underscores the significance of resource allocation, emphasizing its real-life implications and fundamental role in promoting social equity. The exploration begins with a detailed examination of fairness in resource allocation, highlighting the delicate balance between fairness and efficiency. The work further delves into the difficulty of defining global fairness, leading to an in-depth analysis of fair resource allocation problems and the nuances of fair division. Drawing from mathematics, economics, game theory, and operations research, the study offers an interdisciplinary perspective on these issues.
A key focus of the dissertation is the investigation of utility allocation schemes, where stakeholders perceive different utility values from resource allocations. To illustrate these dynamics, concepts from game theory such as fair cake-cutting are employed. The research also explores the multi-dimensional trade-offs between fairness and efficiency, aiming to find optimal solutions that balance these competing objectives through a Multi-objective Mixed-Integer Linear Optimization model to achieve Pareto optimal allocations.
The dissertation further examines decentralized decision-making in resource allocation within network systems, particularly in hierarchical structures. A two-level resource allocation setting is analyzed, with the primary decision-maker optimizing fairness-based metrics and a secondary decision-maker pursuing cost-efficiency. To mitigate performance losses in fairness, a Mixed-Integer Linear Bilevel Optimization approach is proposed.
Lastly, the study addresses resource allocation problems under uncertainty, focusing on the utilities generated by end users. Using stochastic programming, specifically Two-stage Mixed-Integer Linear Programming, the dissertation explores the sensitivity of resource allocations to uncertainty and its implications for decision-makers.
In summary, this dissertation advances the understanding and methodologies for fair resource allocation in network systems, offering valuable insights and practical implications for CPSS management
Enhancing Multi-purpose mmwave System And W-band Antenna In Package Calibration And Measurements
Get PDFThe millimeter-wave (mmWave) scanner is a system built a few years ago by the phased array antenna research and development group (PAARD) in the Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC) with the purpose of measuring, characterizing, and calibrating mmWave antennas without significantly changing the setup. The most important reason for developing a multitasking system is to utilize a vector network analyzer (VNA), in many applications. This thesis proposes upgrades to this system, starting with the software, which restricts the system with poor motion flow, and addition of new features to the system that allow faster and reliable measurements.
A relevant feature that was added is the calibration and measurement of a W-band active phased array antenna in a package that was manufactured for commercial purposes. Due to the nature of the active element in a phased array antenna, calibration of the system is required for precise and correct performance, which is critical for radio frequency systems. Over-the-air (OTA) calibration is a powerful technique used in phased array antennas in real-world environments. This thesis proposes a novel measurement system to calibrate and characterize the antenna. The system is a multi-axis hybrid system with nine degrees of freedom, used to perform the calibration process and also to scan the antenna radiation pattern in both near-field (NF) and far-field (FF) regions. Experimental results of the calibration method show high precision in the element radiation values, and excellent agreement between the antenna array radiation pattern measured in the near-field and far-field is achieved
Performance, politics, and queenship: rhetorical strategies of Tudor mothers, daughters, and sisters
Get PDFThis project explores how four Tudor queens utilized performance and written rhetoric to gain and maintain power, as well as how their efforts influenced their daughters and kingdoms. Chapter One centers around Catherine of Aragon and her performance as queen in comparison to Vives's prescriptive Education of a Christian Woman. Although Vives's text was meant to be an instructional manual for women (specifically noble women), Aragon's performance as queen, due to the social and political aspects of this role, often went against what Vives wrote. This resulted in a performative negotiation between how a noble woman and a queen consort should conduct herself within the socio-political sphere. In Chapter Two, I outline how Katherine Parr utilized her published works to gain and maintain her influence within the court and with the current reigning monarch. Psalms and Prayers aided in establishing Parr's positionality as a legitimate queen and capable partner to Henry during the beginning years of their marriage and her regency. Her later work, Lamentation of a Sinner, sought to maintain the influence that she had gained within a court that she no longer had a strong position over, during her step-son's reign. Chapter Three compares the rhetorical strategies of Mary I and Elizabeth I, as reflected in state papers and personal accounts, to read their queenly performances as potentially complementary, rather than competitive, and to explore how both women learned from their predecessors. This chapter discusses specific instances where Mary and Elizabeth pull on specific examples set by Aragon and Parr that help them to maintain and grow the influence that they each believe to be their divine right. From a historical perspective, each of the Henrician queens have received an increase in attention throughout the last twenty years. Scholars such as Micheline White, Christy Beemer, Rebecca Quoss-Moore, and Janel Muller have worked in recent years to increase our collective knowledge of how rhetoric was utilized by early modern queens, as well as how this usage influenced other writers and women of this period. Aragon and Parr were, as this thesis argues, incredibly influential for how Mary and Elizabeth crafted their queenly identities. Although both women certainly sought to establish governmental contiguity by invoking the image of their father, they more subtly and, I would argue even more effectively, were able to maintain their positionality and power through utilizing the rhetorical strategies of Aragon and Parr. The queenly education provided by their predecessors ensured that both Mary and Elizabeth would learn how to rule effectively in a male-dominated society