Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Effects of lighting color temperature on teacher self-efficacy
No full textClassroom design has been a research topic of interest for decades and has become more and more popular over the last several years. Researchers have developed new methods for studying and quantifying the effects of classroom design on students and their behavior. While this information has been beneficial, teachers have been largely left out of this conversation. Educators have an incredible impact on their students and therefore should be included in these studies to better understand how the classroom environment impacts them. Similarly, studies about lighting color temperature in the classroom environment are limited. Classroom and educational design is heavily based on evidence-based design, therefore literature that considers the viewpoints of educators and students are crucial to designing environments that benefit the users, There is a critical need to ensure that educators can carry out their respected roles in an environment in which the lighting positively impacts their self-efficacy and desire to be present in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to assess if the integration of cool tone lighting in a virtual simulation of an early childhood classroom improves cognitive and physiological measurements in educators. The specific aims of the study include the following: a) Determine if the addition of cool tone lighting in the virtual early childhood education classroom will result in a reduction in cognitive load, as compared to the warm tone lighting; b) Determine if the addition of cool tone lighting in the virtual early childhood education classroom will result in a reduction in physiological measurements, as compared to the warm tone lighting; c) Determine how the educator’s cognitive load affects their self-efficacy; d) Determine how the educator’s physiological measurements affect their satisfaction and intent to spend time in the classroom environment. 30 participants were recruited to experience two virtual classroom environments with different lighting correlated color temperatures (CCTs). Participants answered survey questions related to their perceived cognitive load, self-efficacy, and emotions experienced while in each of the classrooms. The study found that there were significant differences in perceived cognitive load, self-efficacy, and emotions between the warm-tone and cool-tone lighting environments. The study also found correlations between cognitive load and self-efficacy. The findings suggest that lighting CCT does impact educators and their ability to succeed in the classroom. There are important implications for the design of classrooms to improve the wellbeing and success of educators
Impact of watering and harvest timing on warm-season turfgrass establishment from sod and sprigs
No full textModern turf management is often predicated on the successful establishment of a desirable species with minimal inputs. For most warm-season turfgrasses, establishment is predominantly from either sod or sprigs. Two multi-location field studies were conducted in 2023 in Stillwater and Perkins, Oklahoma to characterize the establishment of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass from sod and sprigs. The first experiment was conducted for 15 weeks to evaluate three critical thresholds for soil moisture sensors (25, 50, and 75%) for establishing ‘OKC 1119’ ’, ‘OKC 1131’, and ‘OKC 1876’ hybrid bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis) at two sprigging rates (6.8 m³ ha⁻¹ and 13.5 m³ ha⁻¹). The Irrigation 50% (Irr 50%) treatment resulted in the most water savings while achieving acceptable turf coverage over the course of the study with an application of 34.4 mm at Stillwater and 61.4 mm at Perkins from 2 to 15 weeks after sprigging. The second field study evaluated storage time and harvest season effect on sod transplant success for ‘OKC 1131’ (Tahoma 31®) bermudagrass and ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass sod that were harvested on 5 June, 17 July, and 13 September and planted at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after harvest. A decline in moisture and increased temperature were observed with an increase in storage time. Rooting measurements taken 5 weeks after planting showed decreased root strength with increasing storage time. Percent green coverage (PGC) decreased as the storage increased being the lowest PGC at 96 hours of storage in bermudagrass while no difference was observed for PGC with increased storage time in zoysiagrass. Bermudagrass PGC fully recovered by 2 weeks after planting for each harvest dates at both locations. Overall, the research described here in provides insight into using soil moisture sensors during the establishment of bermudagrass turfgrasses as well as postharvest dynamics of warm-season turfgrass sod
Improving provider education of sudden infant death syndrome in Malawi, Africa
No full textSudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected and unexplained death of a seemingly healthy infant. Significant risk factors for SIDS include sleeping position and sleeping environment. In well-developed countries, SIDS is a widely understood and preventable cause of infant mortality. In Malawi, Africa however, little is known about SIDS. The goal of this quality improvement project is to educate the staff of Child Legacy International (CLI) Hospital in Malawi, Africa about SIDS, ways to prevent it, and how to educate their patients in order to reduce the risk of infant mortality.An initial cross-sectional survey will be conducted with hospital/clinic staff at Child Legacy International to assess their baseline knowledge and understanding of SIDS and whether education about SIDS is being provided to new mothers of infants. Next, a video lecture about SIDS and SIDS prevention will be delivered to the staff at intervals of once monthly for 3 months. Additional resources such as posters and informational brochures will be given to staff to implement into their prenatal and postpartum education and to give to new mothers after delivery. After the project has been completed, the same cross-sectional survey will be conducted for hospital/clinic staff to compare their pre- and post-implementation knowledge on SIDS and SIDS prevention. This will determine whether or not video lectures and educational material improved their knowledge or not. Results of this project have not yet been collected
Digital media detox: A transformative learning approach to an undergraduate digital media class
No full textThis qualitative study explored how a weeklong, voluntary social media break affected the social media habits of agricultural communications majors at Oklahoma State who are also digital natives. The study sought to understand participants’ experiences during the social media cleanse and how their perspectives changed as a result of this transformational experience. Data was collected through focus group interviews with students enrolled in a digital media course in Fall 2023, one-on-one interviews with students who had completed the cleanse in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023, and document analysis of reflection essays submitted after the cleanse.
Thematic analysis revealed that during the cleanse, participants experienced shifts in relational dynamics, increased awareness of their social media and technology dependency, feelings of isolation and loneliness, reduced procrastination, and a need to fill the void left by social media. Months after the cleanse, participants reported long-term shifts in their social media habits, a changed stance on social media’s role in their lives, a “new lease on life” with greater presence and intentionality, rearranged and deepened relationships, and a desire to recommend social media non-use to others.
The findings suggest a voluntary social media cleanse can serve as a disorienting dilemma that sparks transformational learning and lasting changes in digital natives’ relationship with social media. By unplugging, participants gained self-awareness, reevaluated priorities, and made more intentional choices about social media’s place in their lives. Educators may consider social media cleanses as a tool to help students critically reflect on healthy technology habits
Nitrates in Oklahoma well water
No full textNitrate is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless chemical that is usually safe at low levels. However, levels that exceed 10 mg/L are dangerous and can lead to irreversible health effects due to nitrate’s ability to block oxygen carried into the blood. In baby’s at high enough concentrations, nitrates can cause blue baby syndrome making them appear blue. Our research samples wells across Oklahoma to let residents know what is truly in their water. Once data is collected, we have compiled a map to see where nitrates are the highest and what factors could cause abnormally high concentrations of nitrates. Through our research, we hope to provide Oklahomans with knowledge of what is in their water and how they can protect themselves along with understanding the factors that could cause potentially high nitrate concentrations.Lew Wentz FoundationBiosystems and Agricultural Engineerin
PROGRESS-Plus analysis of equitable reporting for geographic atrophy: A meta-epidemiological study in systematic reviews
No full textBackground: Geographic atrophy (GA) is a late-stage sequelae of age-related macular degeneration. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) are often referenced for disease management, and these documents should provide culturally appropriate guidelines to ensure equitable care. It is unknown whether GA specific SRMAs reflect these needs, thus our meta-epidemiological study aims to fill this knowledge gap by applying the PROGRESS-Plus analysis to current literature.Methods: To identify eligible SRMAs, we conducted a systematic search of three databases. Two researchers were assigned the task of identifying GA associated literature in a masked and duplicative fashion. Data was then analyzed by two additional researchers following the PROGRESS-PLUS framework with the inclusion of Place, Race/ethnicity, Occupation, Gender/sex, Religion, Education, Social capital, and Socioeconomic status (SES), and other characteristics of the SRMAs. Any conflicts with data identification or analysis were reconciled via discussion.Results: In the initial search, 176 articles returned, of which 119 were excluded due to replication or irrelevance to GA. Of the remaining 57 studies, 26 (45.6%) did not include any PROGRESS-Plus items. It was noted that equity items were reported less in SRMAs conducted within the U.S. (31.3%, 5/16) compared to other countries (63.4%, 26/41), which held statistical significance (P=.028). The most commonly included equity items were age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Other study characteristics were not significantly associated with the inclusion of equity items.Conclusions: Among the PROGRESS-PLUS items reported within SRMAs, our study found that among many factors, education and SES were consistently lacking. Currently, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is taking on novel initiatives to grow diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field. Equitable reporting within SRMAs is essential for understanding precipitating factors of ophthalmologic disease and ensuring the improvement of comprehensive treatment for future patients
Employing cover crops and no till practices on Southern Great Plains cotton production to manage runoff water quantity and quality
No full textConventional tillage and mono-cropping are traditional practices employed for cotton production in the Southern Great Plains (SGP) region. These practices can be detrimental to soil health, crop yield, and water resources when improperly managed. Regenerative practices such as cover crops and conservation tillage have been suggested as an alternative. The proposed shift in management practices originates from the need to make agriculture resilient to extreme weather events including intense rainfall and drought. Regenerative agricultural practices have demonstrated the ability to reduce surface runoff and nutrient, sediment, and bacterial loadings from watersheds in the humid midwestern USA and worldwide. These reductions have resulted in benefits to water quality, soil health, crop yield, and local economies. The objective of this study is to test the effects of these practices in an environment with limited rainfall. Expected outcomes from the use of cover crops and conservation tillage include reduced surface runoff, improved soil health, and improved runoff water quality. The present study compared the presence and absence of a winter wheat cover crop on dryland cotton production on twelve half-acre cotton plots in Altus, Oklahoma. The results from the first 2 years of this research indicate that a winter cover implemented on plots with a high cotton seeding rate significantly reduced runoff when compared to other treatments (p = 0.032). Cover cropped treatments did not show significant differences in nutrient or sediment loadings. A slight reduction was observed in the concentrations and loadings of several parameters at cover cropped plots, including TKN, TP, total solids, and E. coli. Limitations of this study included short time frame, mechanical failures, and drought. These factors potentially reduced the statistical differences of several findings. Agriculture in the SGP must continue to develop efficient methods of crop production to conserve soil and water resources and maintain the livelihood and prosperity of farmers and rural communities across the region
Living happily together
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
Centipede nets improve fish sampling efficiency and reveal unseen diversity in a tropical eastern Pacific mangrove
No full textDespite the broadly held view that mangrove forests provide crucial habitat to many species, including juvenile fishes, the lack of efficient methods for sampling within the complex structure of mangrove prop roots and pneumatophores has hampered our ability to study mangrove fishes, especially in turbid areas where visual sampling is not an option. Many studies of mangrove fish communities rely on the assumption that species captured in adjacent mudflats and open channels are also present within vegetated microhabitats. I conducted a multi-season study at six mangrove sites in the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica to compare the performance of traditional fishing gears used in mangroves (cast nets and seines) with that of the centipede net—a commercial fishing technique used in mangrove areas in the South China Sea. Centipede nets captured more species and more unique species, and they had greater sample coverage than traditional gears. Sampling with centipede nets in combination with either cast nets or seines captured more species in fewer site visits than a conventional sampling regime using cast nets and seines. Sampling with all three gears yielded the highest estimates of true species richness, Shannon diversity, and Simpson diversity. Centipede nets performed well across a range of environmental conditions, but catch rates were negatively related to bank steepness, so samples may not be comparable across sites with extremely different steepness. The proportion of species caught exclusively in centipede nets was lower in the Gulf of Nicoya (22%) than in Dongzhai Harbor, China (32%), but this difference was likely driven by differences in study design. I recommend the use of centipede nets, whether in isolation or in combination with traditional techniques, to researchers seeking a comprehensive understanding of fish communities utilizing flooded mangrove habitats to guide effective conservation and management strategies
Herbicide mixing order for effective pesticide application
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