Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Dynamic modeling of intermediate depth geothermal systems
No full textA code was developed to couple numerical models of geothermal doublets and deep borehole heat exchangers (DBHE) with a simple model for heat pumps responding to a monthly demand for heating and cooling a building. This code was used with the objective of comparing the performance of systems repurposing one or two idle gas wells to install a DBHE or a doublet to heat a greenhouse. Both systems include several heat pumps, activated or deactivated according to the building energy demand. The fluid flow rate is also varied to adapt production to demand. Results show that, in theory, the doublet could supply more heat than the DBHE. Indeed, the doublet could heat a 6950 m2 greenhouse and provide approximately 70% of the peak demand, while the DBHE would only heat a 2560 m2 greenhouse with the same coverage of peak demand. However, a preliminary cost analysis shows that installing and operating a doublet over 30 years would cost almost twice as much as a DBHE, which should be factored into the decision
Exploring multilingual pedagogies in Belizean language arts classrooms
No full textThis qualitative study examined four Belizean primary teachers' multilingual pedagogies in language arts instruction. The research question, what multilingual pedagogies did Belizean primary teachers use in the Language Arts classrooms guides this multiple case study. Using a thematic analysis in the data analysis process results in the development of four themes across the cases. The findings revealed that the teachers used multimodal and translanguaging pedagogies to facilitate multilingual students' meaning-making processes. Through language teaching partnerships, the teachers positioned students as agents of their own learning and others’ learning. The teacher enacted these multilingual pedagogies with an ethic of care that includes responsibility for their students’ emotional well-being. The study makes recommendations for teachers and educators who choose to use multilingual strategies, including incorporating multimodal representations of content in various modes, teachers using their multilingual skills to convey meaning, and fostering peer-teaching among students across multiple languages. The study highlights the importance of using students’ full cultural and linguistic resources in language arts teachings so that students can experience meaningful growth in their literacy lives
Ideopathic anaphylaxis with elevated liver enzymes: A case study
No full textBackground: Complications from a cholecystectomy are rare, especially with recurring episodes of anaphylaxis and urticaria. Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction caused by an allergen, which may include: foods, venoms, medications, infections, among others. Idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) is a severe allergic reaction with no know cause or etiology. This article describes a patient who presented with anaphylactic episodes following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We discuss the symptomology of the episodes and the eventual treatment, and we have also put forth a possible mechanism for why this patient was experiencing these episodes.Case Presentation: A 48 year old female presented to her primary care physician with complaints of mid thoracic back pain. Therapy and other conservative treatments such as pain medications did not relieve her symptoms. An MRI was later performed that showed cholelithiasis (CL). She was referred to a general surgeon for a subsequent cholecystectomy in December 2013. This was performed laparoscopically. A few hours later developed itchy urticaria and anaphylactic symptoms. She was treated for the acute reaction and was discharged. Many years went by with these random episodes that presented as epigastric pain just below the xiphoid process that would radiate posteriorly with accompanying itchy urticaria and anaphylaxis. After one of her episodes an Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was performed that showed a slightly torturous and dilated bile duct. In 2018 an ERCP demonstrated a sphincter of Oddi dysfunction that was released with surgery. She had one more episode after she awoke from anesthesia and has been symptom free for almost six years.Discussion: The following is a proposed mechanism of symptomology based upon data and evidence showed elsewhere in literature. The LC or a gallstone moving through the sphincter of Oddi (SO) caused the SOD. The SOD was the causal factor in the elevation in liver transaminases, which in turn caused the radiating epigastric pain and might have also caused urticaria and anaphylaxis. It remains to be seen why the SO release has correlated with this patient not experiencing her anaphylactic episodes for the last five years (2018-2023). While it is inconclusive, it is suggestive that since the SO release has resolved the patient’s symptoms, lends credibility that the anaphylactic reactions were related to her SOD. More study is warranted to find a possible correlation between SOD, elevated transaminase levels, and anaphylaxis to determine whether these symptoms are associated in humans
Impact of war on women physicians in America in the twentieth century
No full textThe medical education reform of the early twentieth century in the United States increased obstacles for women in medicine, who already had to fight against societal gender expectations to practice medicine. These obstacles were temporarily relieved during wartime in the United States, which saw drastic increases in women studying and practicing medicine. As medical schools emptied as men were drafted for war, women began entering medical schools. Desperation for physicians both on the home front and overseas increased opportunities for women to practice medicine. This progress was not lasting outside of wartime, however, as returning veterans displaced the women with newfound positions in the medical field. This progress was not secure for women physicians without legal protection to fight discrimination against women in the medical field. This analysis examines the impact of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War on women physicians in the United States
Quantification of the natural biodegradability and assessment of environmental impacts to determine the overall sustainability of bioplastics
No full textBetween massive growth in plastic production and its inability to decompose quickly, plastic pollution is increasing rapidly, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Wind and water currents transport plastic waste to areas with little water movement, creating massive conglomerates of plastic waste and negatively impacting water quality. Most of these plastics are single-use plastic, so there is a critical need to shift toward bioplastics. In this research, the biodegradability of bioplastics, specifically polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), was quantified as a function of carbon dioxide (CO₂) production in lake, river, and marine environments. Biodegradability was also measured using Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis to visually assess functional group changes in the plastic polymers before and after experimentation. In addition to lab-based quantification of bioplastic biodegradation, this research investigated the environmental impacts of traditional plastics compared to bioplastic alternatives using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Two comparative LCAs were conducted to account for varying end-of-life treatment of plastics; the first represented the current state of plastic waste management, and the second represented the goals set by the US Plastics Pact to reduce plastic in landfills and increase recycling of plastics. Experimental data found that PHA showed evidence of biodegradation best in rivers, followed by lakes and then marine environments while PLA showed minimal degradation in all aquatic environments. The ATR-FTIR analysis showed some new peak formation and changes in peak intensity in preliminary results with the marine samples. The LCA results showed that while bioplastics had comparable environmental burdens in the production stage, their benefits were clear when end-of-life applications (i.e., organic recycling) were effectively considered. Between the current and target scenarios, there were reductions across all environmental impact categories for bioplastics, and they had a lower environmental burden than traditional plastics. It was concluded that PHA degraded in some natural water bodies and that both PHA and PLA are a more sustainable alternative to traditional single-use plastics
Inspection of the gut microbiota and its relation to overall health
No full textThe gut microbiome is a large contributor to one’s overall health. From initial colonization as an infant, factors such as genetics, diet, and environmental exposures contribute to the unique microbial composition in each person’s body. Following an individual from birth through adulthood, changes in the gut microbiome occur due to various factors, including aging, chronic diseases, mental disorders, and antibiotic use. Imbalances in the gut microbiota lead to dysbiosis, potentially contributing to metabolic and mental diseases. This dysbiosis increases the risk of chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome, impacting both energy balance and life expectancy. Maintenance of the gut microbiota involves nutritional and exercise therapies, as well as a regulated circadian rhythm to support beneficial microbes and immune function. Incorporating pre- and probiotic supplements can enhance microbial diversity, potentially leading to improvements in metabolic and mental well-being
Being the change we wish to see: Neurodiversity-affirming practices for library workers and patrons
No full textThis webinar provides and talks through practical tips for supporting the agency of autistic and neurodivergent individuals in your library. Led by Bailey Hoffner, an adult-diagnosed autistic librarian, the session encourages viewers to ask questions such as:
What are specific ways of thinking that aren't serving your entire community, and how might you work towards a neuro-affirming, universal design?
What are things that you and your library are doing because you think you should and which of those things could be dropped to better support autistic and neurodivergent individuals?
What parts of yourself may need tending to make the necessary paradigm shift towards more neuro-affirming practices?
Viewers will walk away with actionable steps they can take in nearly all areas of librarianship, from more inclusive ways to engage with patrons to better policies to support all workers.Librar
Trees for prosperity and posterity
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
4-H Home Demonstration: Seventh year
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
Dental alveoli and the evolution of complex dentitions in tetrapods: Patterns, trajectories, and implications
No full textModern mammals and crocodylians both exhibit thecodont dentitions, wherein teeth are implanted in bony sockets in the jaws. These sockets support the dentition by acting as an anchoring attachment for the periodontal ligament. In rodents, it has been shown that alveoli directly cause cusp offset, meaning the jaw is responsible for a critical aspect of tooth crown shape. Despite the apparent importance and variability of this structure, there is a lack of anatomical, evolutionary, and functional work regarding alveoli. I addressed the goal of investigating the evolutionary relationship between alveoli and tooth crowns by establishing alveolar anatomy knowledge, further exploring the alveolar-molar relationship in rodents, and documenting alveolar growth in crocodylians. I used micro-computed tomography (µCT) imaging to generate the high-resolution three-dimensional datasets necessary to visualize and measure the internal skeletal anatomy of alveoli in wet-preserved, frozen, and osteological specimens of extant crocodylians and mammals, analyzing relevant measurements in a phylogenetic context to test hypotheses regarding alveolar anatomy evolution. I find that alveolar anatomy has substantial differences between crocodylians and mammals, with crocodylians exhibiting mammal-like alveoli in the mesial portion of the jaw, and a unique anatomical configuration of a thick layer of bone in the distal portion of the tooth row. In rodents, I find that the tractability of the established alveolar-cusp offset trend is not preserved across ontogeny, unless open root morphology is present to serve as an embryonic anatomical analogue. Looking into a relatively undescribed system, I find that extant crocodylians exhibit positively allometric alveolar trough thickness, and the ontogenetic completion pattern of alveoli in heterodont vs. homodont species is different, suggesting a possible relationship between alveoli and tooth shaping, with functional implications relevant to feeding. Overall, this study finds that alveoli have complex anatomical patterns and relationships with dentitions in extant mammals and crocodylians. Using these conceptual foundations on alveolar evolutionary morphology in mammals and extant crocodylians, I can address evolutionary questions involving the evolution of mammal-grade dentitions in non-mammalian groups using notosuchians as a natural experiment to further elucidate the evolutionary relationship between tooth crowns and their hard tissue support structure