Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Safe farming for 1926
No full textThe Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311
Standing column wells in cold climates: lessons learned after one year of operating a demonstration system in Canada
No full textDespite the high efficiency of standing column wells, their adoption by industry and practitioners outside of their area of origin is still hindered by a lack of awareness, concerns about groundwater chemistry and protection, and insufficient data to assess the reliability of this technology in different climatic and geological contexts. The present work addresses this issue and aims to disseminate the lessons learned after one year of operation of a demonstration system installed in a public school in Mirabel (Quebec, Canada). Analysis of the operational data shows that the standing column wells performed very well during the first winter; the geothermal heat pumps were able to deliver heating loads over 200 W/m and to reduce the electrical power demand by about 71% compared to electric resistance heating during seasonal peaks when the outdoor air temperature was -26 °C. On the other hand, the malfunction of the variable speed drives and the complexity of the retrofit project, which resulted in the installation of multiple circulators on the source side, proved to be serious liabilities for the overall seasonal performance factor of the system. It also became clear that continuous commissioning efforts are essential to ensure the effectiveness of the control sequences and to secure significant energy savings
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and metal contamination in urban playground soils: Identification of sources and sociological implications
No full textIn our daily lives we are faced with many hidden exposures to environmental contaminants from anthropogenic activity. In urban environments risk factors increase due to human influence. This study examines this human influence. My collective objective was to evaluate the quality and quantity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and select metals in public elementary school playgrounds across the Oklahoma City to evaluate risk dynamics with sourcing of contaminants and children exposure. Chapter II, Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Metal Contamination in Urban Playground Soils, evaluated PAHs and select metal distribution across 138 public elementary schools. The objectives were to determine if certain contaminants and sites were of concern for human health risk. Both PAHs and arsenic were above soil screening levels across most sites; however, they did not statistically co-occur. Chapter III, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Metal Contamination in Urban Playground Soils with Regards to Major Roadways and Identification of Sources, used multiple approaches to evaluate sourcing of contaminants. In addition to correlative evaluations, spatial techniques, such as mapping with the input of data collected from local and federal governmental agencies can help to provide more context for the dynamics of a complex system such as an urban environment. Using these techniques, PAHs were found to be mostly pyrogenic in origin with traffic as a source. Finally, Chapter IV, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Metal Contamination in Urban Playground Soils with Regards to School Demographic Correlations, looked at the social dynamics and diversity of the school systems to identify more sensitive populations facing additional risk of soil contamination. This study evaluated the socioeconomic and racial dynamics of schools across the area to establish a better understanding of the impact on urban pollution on communities. Schools with low socioeconomic factors and higher nonwhite populations had higher levels of PAH contamination. These populations spatially relate with associated traffic levels, indicating an Environmental Justice issue. While these pollutants may not be of our daily concern, we still face exposure in safe spaces, and there are disproportionate exposure opportunities to these pollutants depending on social and racial backgrounds
Impact of visual dark-cutting severity on the aging, color and biochemical properties of beef longissimus lumborum
No full textDark-cutting beef remains one of the challenges for the global beef industry, with much work focused on identifying mechanisms responsible for its occurrence. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of varying visual severities of dark-cutting beef longissimus lumborum on the biochemical, retail color stability, metabolome and lipidome at 0, 21, and 39 d of aging. At the time of grading, beef carcasses (n = 8/treatment) were selected based on the visual degree of dark-cutting severity. Beef strip loins (IMPS #180) representing four treatments including a normal, bright cherry-red colored control, shady, moderate, and moderately severe dark-cutting were collected. At 48 to 60 h postmortem, two 2.54 cm steaks were sliced from the anterior end of each loin. The remaining portion of each loin was cut in half and the halves were randomly assigned to 21- or 39-d of wet aging. Following aging, one steak was fabricated from each half. Biochemical, color stability, and untargeted metabolomics analysis occurred throughout aging. Untargeted lipid analysis was evaluated on the unaged samples. Moderately severe and moderate dark-cutting beef had a greater (P < 0.05) pH than shady and normal beef on d 0 of analysis. Metabolite profiling indicated downregulation of several key glycolytic metabolites, while there was an upregulation of amino acid and lipid-based metabolites such as isoleucine, and glyceryl monopalmitate, in all three dark-cutting severities compared to normal beef. Pairwise comparisons of the three dark-cutting severities to normal beef revealed 20, 21, and 25 lipid species that were over abundant in shady, moderate, and moderately severe dark-cutting beef, respectively. Acylcarnitine species of varying carbons and saturations were the most common of the shared species. During aging evaluation of metabolites noted shady dark-cutting steaks exhibited the least changes during aging compared with normal-beef, while moderately severe dark-cutting beef had a greater change in metabolite profile during aging. Changes in bloom color throughout aging are coupled with subsequent changes in metabolite profile. As dark-cutting severity increases, there is subsequent changes in color biochemistry traits as well as shifts in energy metabolism including a downregulation of glycolysis
Home canning of meats
Get PDFThe Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311
Impacts of aggregate gradation and glass fibers on concrete mixture
No full textThis study investigates the influence of aggregate gradation, glass fibers, and larger nominal maximum coarse aggregate size on the performance and properties of concrete mixtures. A novel bridge deck concrete mixture design was developed for the Minnesota Department of Transportation utilizing a mobile mixer, known as a "volumetric mixer truck," aimed at reducing carbon footprint. The design incorporated an improved aggregate gradation based on the optimized Tarantula Curve method. Testing was conducted to ensure the newly formulated mixture met the desired properties. Various tests, including assessments of fresh properties, Drying Shrinkage, Hardened Air Voids Analysis, Freeze-Thaw Durability, Split Beam Test, Ion Penetration Test, electrical resistivity, and Compressive Strength, were conducted. Further investigation focused on enhancing the concrete mixture by adding glass fibers using a fiber chopper attached to the volumetric mixer truck. This enhanced mixture underwent testing for fresh properties, split beam test, electrical resistivity, and compressive strength. Additionally, concrete mixtures with a 1.5-inch nominal maximum coarse aggregate size were prepared and tested. The Tarantula Curve design method was employed to adjust the coarse aggregate amount while maintaining the fine aggregate constant. The study examined the influence of the percent retained on the 1-inch sieve size on various aspects including workability performance, compressive strength, electrical resistivity, mass change, and shrinkage strain. Findings from these tests provide valuable insights into the performance characteristics of concrete mixtures with different aggregate gradations, inclusion of glass fibers, and variations in nominal maximum coarse aggregate size. This research contributes to the optimization of concrete mixture designs for improved structural performance and durability, particularly relevant for infrastructure projects
Economic comparison of beef cattle marketing strategies for Oklahoma producers
No full textLivestock producers in Oklahoma have a variety of marketing approaches available for use, and each option has its benefits and drawbacks. This paper analyzes three common marketing methods: sale barn auctions, the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network Preconditioning Program, and direct-to-consumer custom-exempt sales and compares the net present value (NPV) of each option over ten years. This study found that all three methods are economically viable, and that direct-to-consumer custom-exempt sales have the highest expected NPV. This does not come without costs though, as direct-to-consumer custom-exempt sales have the largest potential for labor, price, and logistical risks. This suggests that producers should choose their marketing options based on their operational goals
Techno-economic assessment of deep geothermal technologies for district heating systems on the South Shore of Montréal (Québec, Canada)
No full textGeothermal district heating systems with deep boreholes (1.5 to 3.0 km) can be an interesting alternative to electric heating systems powered by hydroelectricity. The techno-economic potential of deep borehole heat exchangers and geothermal doublets (with and without reservoir stimulation) was assessed, and the results suggest that the latter installed in a permeable medium is more economically attractive than deep borehole heat exchangers. The economic analysis also suggests that the former systems can potentially provide energy at a lower cost than Hydro Québec’s minimum electricity selling price of 0.063 $/kWh (Rate D applied to domestic use for the first 40 kWh/day – 1st tier). However, geothermal doublets are a high-risk technology. Further field tests would be needed to fully assess their technological potential. Nevertheless, despite the risk and uncertainty, utilizing deep geothermal energy for district heating systems offers potential long-term benefits that surpass the challenges related to drilling and resource assessment
Mechanisms underlying feed intake regulation and nutrient utilization in beef steers
Get PDFThe beef industry is under constant pressure to improve sustainability, including economic and environmental. Maximizing feed efficiency is of the utmost importance. Optimizing nutrient utilization efficiency is a key aspect of improving feed efficiency because as nutrients are more efficiently utilized, fewer waste products are excreted by the animal. Further, when discussing feed efficiency, feed intake and weight gain are vital components as these are used in common measures of feed efficiency. Investigating mechanisms contributing to these phenotypes is important. The hepatic oxidation theory suggests ruminant feed intake is regulated by hepatic oxidation of fuels such as propionate. Oxidation of propionate results in increased circulating glucose and likely an increase in insulin to stimulate glucose uptake into tissues such as muscle. Understanding mechanisms related to hepatic oxidation and glucose uptake is important. The primary objectives of this work were to: 1. Investigate mechanisms involved in hepatic feed intake regulation and skeletal muscle glucose uptake, and 2. Elucidate the effect of propionate on insulin secretion. To address objective 1, 54 Angus steers were utilized, with steers of high and low dry matter intake (n = 8 each) selected to investigate mechanisms involved in hepatic feed intake regulation, and an intravenous glucose tolerance test was conducted to select steers with high and low rates of glucose clearance (n = 8 each). To address objective 2, 4 Angus steers were utilized in a 2 × 2 crossover design and abomasally infused with propionate or saline. Our results suggest that insulin signaling is important for hepatic feed intake regulation as well as adipocytokine signaling, and factors related to myocyte function and insulin signaling were altered in divergent glucose clearance cattle. Further, abomasal propionate infusion stimulated insulin secretion, confirming that propionate induces insulin secretion upon oxidation to glucose. Overall, this work suggests that the ruminant liver plays a key role in feed intake regulation. Further, alterations in glucose clearance may be driven by myocyte structure and factors related to insulin signaling. Given that propionate stimulates insulin secretion, there is potential that increased hepatic oxidation of propionate to glucose also stimulates glucose uptake into skeletal tissue
Agricultural land taxes on cash rental rates, drought impacts and agricultural insurance, and mobile banking access in the Southern Great Plains
No full textChapter I: Counties periodically adjust tax rates on farmland, which sometimes results in higher tax rates on leased land. Landowners pass the additional burden onto renters, called a tax incidence. A Ricardian land rent model is applied to analyze the incidence of agricultural taxes on cropland rental rates and to determine how much of the tax burden shifts from landowners to renters. This analysis estimates the tax incidence for leased cropland and pastureland in Oklahoma. The results show that while there was no significant incidence for cropland renters, pastureland renters incurred an aggregate incidence of 163 million in output, 1,084 jobs, and $67 million in value-added per drought year in the communities analyzed. However, FCIP crop indemnities reduced drought-caused losses by 54% to 63%.
Chapter III: The objective of this research was to determine the effect of mobile banking access on bank entry and exit in the Southern Great Plains (SGP) region of the United States (US). Following the Great Recession of 2008 there has been considerable research investigating the closure of banks and bank branches and the consequences of “lending deserts” on the economic vitality of rural communities and other areas lacking access to physical banks. However, during this same period, there were novel advances in online and mobile technologies, which led to unprecedented changes in how individuals banked. Findings of the study indicated predominant drivers of bank entry and exit were the entry and exit of other banking institutions. There was no indication that mobile availability affected banking entry or exit