Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
Not a member yet
42035 research outputs found
Sort by
Development of thermal response test equipment applicable to water wells of large diameters
No full textIn this work, a novel TRT equipment applicable to water wells of large diameters was developed and tested in an actual GSHP site. The equipment consists of an electric heater and an optical fiber sensor and is adhered to the well casing by electromagnets. The temperature change at the well wall is measured during and after the heating period for the estimation of the thermal conductivity of the ground (λs). First, TRTs using a heating cable were conducted in a grouted GHE close to a water well of 50 m deep located in Saga City, Kyushu, Japan, to obtain a vertical profile of λs as a reference. Then, four TRTs were conducted in the water well completed with a steel casing using the new TRT equipment. In the TRTs, the length of the heating period was changed from 0.5 days to 4 days to investigate the necessary length of the heating period, while the heat load was set around 43 W/m. λs values of each depth were estimated by graphical method based on Kelvin’s line source theory in the heating and the recovery periods in each TRT. The comparison between the λs profiles estimated from the heating periods and the reference profile showed significant differences due to the generation of natural convection of groundwater and the difficulty in controlling the position of the heater and the temperature sensor. The profiles obtained from the recovery periods, on the other hand, showed a good agreement with the reference profile when the heating period was set as 2 days or more, indicating the applicability of the new equipment in water wells of diameters up to 200 mm
Exploration of chosen family relationships with transgender and nonbinary people of color
No full textTransgender and nonbinary (TNB) people of color (POC) face heighted risks of physical and emotional violence, discrimination, and poor mental health outcomes compared to the general population. Resilience, specifically community resilience from social support, appears to shield TNB populations from the harmful effects of chronic, minority stress and is related to better mental health outcomes in this population. Chosen family may be one unique type of social support accessed by TNB POC that may bolster their resilience in the face of difficult circumstances and marginalization. However, the field has not focused on the ways in which TNB POC access chosen family or the ways chosen family may bolster this population’s resilience. Using the qualitative Listening Guide and Voice Centered Listening approach, the present study fills in a gap in the literature regarding how transgender people of color navigate and engage with chosen family relationships, the connection between those relationships and resilience, and the intersectional experiences that TNB POC have with chosen family. It also helps us better understand how TNB POC’s internal experiences connect with the external in a way that helps them flourish under challenging circumstances
Storied perceptions of teaching writing: How Belizean primary teachers' experiences shape their instruction
No full textWriting is essential for success in school and to become effective in the workplace. Learning to write effectively is influenced by the school curriculum, teachers’ attitudes and beliefs about writing, and their efficacy in enacting adequate writing instructions. This narrative inquiry allowed me to deeply understand why primary school teachers from Belize teach how they do and how challenging it is to develop their confidence to become effective writing teachers.
The overarching question that guides this research is as follows: How do Belizean primary school teachers story the connections and tensions between their childhood and adult writing experiences and their teaching of writing? I explored two sub-questions:
• What are Belizean primary teachers’ storied experiences of writing as students and/or adults?
• What are Belizean primary teachers’ experiences as writing teachers?
I recruited six participants who willing engaged in critical reflections about who they were as writers and writing teachers. The teachers’ stories were the primary data source used to compose their narratives. I used an inductive approach to categorize their experiences as students, adults, preservice teachers, and teachers. Next, I used narrative analysis to develop each of the teacher’s stories using story elements. Then, I conducted another layer of analysis to develop themes after looking across their stories for common patterns that illuminated the teacher’s writing histories, tensions, defining moments, and classroom practices for writing.
The teachers’ stories all echoed that process pedagogies seemingly provide better writing experiences for their students. Therefore, it is recommended that stakeholders in education invest in professional development and workshops that will prepare teachers to enact and sustain process writing pedagogies across primary schools and teacher preparation institutions.
While the study did not provide definitive answers, it allowed me to explore and understand the need and urgency for more emphasis to be placed on writing in primary schools. The study provides valuable information for writing teachers, school administrators, teacher educators, and future researchers who are interested in exploring how writing is taught in schools
Women engineers empowering each other: A case study on fostering belonging and self-image
No full textThis study aims to explore how female engineers develop a sense of belonging and a self-image as legitimate engineers in the male-dominated engineering field and what role their female colleagues may have in that process. Understanding how women develop these characteristics is critical because gender bias in engineering has been shown to hinder women’s career progression and retention (Faulkner, 2009; Saavedra, 2014; Wilson & VanAntwerp, 2021; Yates & Skinner, 2021). This qualitative case study focused on a group of four female engineers who formed an informal support network while working together in a heavily gendered manufacturing facility. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observation, and document review. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and themes related to gender bias, supportive colleagues, belonging, and self-image in the data. The findings indicate that the informal support network between this group of female engineers significantly enhanced their sense of belonging and engineering self-image. This informal network provided avenues of support by having each other’s backs, teaching each other, setting goals together and by providing honest feedback, personal support and representation. In other words, an informal mentorship grew between the women in this study which emerged as a critical factor in the increase of their confidence as engineers, in a strengthened sense of belonging to the field, and a self-image as legitimate engineers. This research underscores the need for more inclusive organizational practices and the value of fostering informal support networks to enhance women’s sense of belonging and self-image in engineering. By addressing gender bias and promoting supportive environments, organizations can improve retention and career satisfaction for female engineers. This, in turn, contributes to greater diversity and innovation in the field, as diverse teams are known to bring varied perspectives and solutions to complex engineering problems (Wilson & VanAntwerp, 2021). Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms through which female engineers can support each other and thrive in their careers, emphasizing the importance of informal strategies to combat gender bias and foster a more inclusive engineering culture
Treated fence posts
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
From shame to empowerment: A fat liberation journey
Get PDFWeight stigma and discrimination occur in various environments, such as in educational, medical, and occupational settings, as well as in the contexts of interpersonal relationships (i.e. Pulh & Brownell, 2006). Experiences of weight stigma and discrimination often harm fat people’s mental well-being (i.e. Wu & Berry, 2018) and relational functioning (Lewis et al., 2011), which makes it an important area of concern for researchers and practitioners in psychology, especially as psychologists are being called more often to adopt a liberation based mindset when conceptualizing and treating mental health concerns in people with marginalized identities (Singh, 2020).
Because relational cultural theory (RCT) focuses on relationships and culture in understanding human development and mental health, it is an ideal theory for providing a framework for conceptualizing the harm done by weight-based oppression, as well as considering how fat people can cope and heal from these experiences. Additionally, given the empowering nature of fat positive and fat liberationist spaces (Dickins et al., 2011; Dickins et al., 2016; Lewis et al., 2010), exploring the impact of a fat person’s fat positive and liberationist identity, using RCT, may also yield important insights into how fat positive and fat liberationist fat people cope with and heal from experiences of weight-based oppression.
Thus, to gain a deeper understanding of these variables, 9 participants who identified as both fat and either fat positive or fat liberationist were interviewed about how they came to this identity and the impact that it has had on them. Once the data was collected, the participants’ narratives were analyzed using narrative analysis. The results support past research findings that experiences of weight stigma and discrimination have a devastating impact on fat people. The findings also suggest participants' journey toward a fat liberation was often slow and involved many factors. Lastly, while all participants identified challenges in their life since this identity developed, such as tension in relationships due to anti-fat views, the participants reported their fat positive or fat liberationist identity has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on their view of themselves and engagement in relationships
Comparison of speech rate in individuals with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls
No full textSpeech rate deficits are commonly observed in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous literature has presented a variety of outcomes regarding the speech rate of individuals with PD compared to healthy controls, ranging from an increased speech rate to a decreased speech rate. The current study aims to determine the differences in speech rate profile between individuals with PD and healthy controls. Additionally, it attempts to determine the effect of stimulus on speech rate for those with PD compared to healthy controls as well as the correlation between demographic conditions and speech rate. This was achieved through collecting audio recordings of 62 individuals via Zoom and in-person meetings. These meetings included a monologue task, reading task, and picture description task. A repeated measures ANOVA was completed to determine the effect of stimulus on speech rate, and a Pearson bivariate correlation to determine correlation between demographic information and speech rate. The findings of this study found that the participants with PD presented with a significantly faster speech rate compared to the neurologically healthy participants, especially when focusing on the picture description task. The author suggests that the cognitive burden coupled with cognitive-linguistic differences in those with PD may have contributed to the differences in speech rate profile between those with PD and the healthy controls. Additionally, only a significant positive correlation between speech rate and MoCA score was determined in this study, suggesting a faster rate of speech in those with higher cognitive functioning. Further research is required to determine the true nature of speech rate deficits in the overall population of those with Parkinson’s disease
Faustian exchange: Empathy as resource and identity exchange in a social psychological context
No full textEmpathy serves as an important aspect of our daily lives. Empathy acts as a method for understanding one another as it operates as an exchange of emotions, a prosocial behavior, and as a moral identity. Social exchange theory and identity theory offer a conceptual framework for understanding how empathy might be utilized in social dynamics. Drawing from these sociological theories and other philosophical and psychological frameworks on empathy, this paper differentiates between types of empathy, the empathic sponge and the empathic plate, as models for how people might show empathy in various contexts. Next, the paper examines how people might evaluate these different types of empathic response and their perceived level of empathy, morality, and exchange value. Comparing empathic responses to various emotions such as guilt, happiness, and sadness offers a social psychological context to evaluate perceived benefits to different types of empathy. Using a factorial vignette survey design a moderation analysis was applied to evaluate the interaction between emotion and type of empathy. The results suggest that there are differences in how people evaluate an empathic response given the expression of pleasurable or painful emotions
Role of interferon stimulated genes in early recognition of pregnancy in cattle
No full textNonpregnant cattle represent a financial and logistical problem for the industry, making early pregnancy detection essential for the economical progression of operations. For example, a dairy farm with 5,000 cows could save $180,000 every year by diagnosing pregnancy 11 days earlier. Obtaining pregnancy rates from artificial insemination (AI) or natural service at an earlier time impacts how soon the cow can be resynchronized, culled, or have reproductive challenges diagnosed. Currently, the gold standard for pregnancy diagnosis is ultrasonography, which can be done commercially no earlier than day 28 (D28) of gestation. Interferon-tau (IFNT) is a protein secreted by the bovine conceptus (embryo plus extraembryonic membranes) which is essential for maternal recognition and pregnancy establishment in cattle. IFNT secretion by the developing conceptus increases around D16 and stimulates the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in circulating white blood cells (WBCs). The objective of this study was to evaluate circulating WBCs in bred cows for ISG expression, which could potentially lead to the ability to detect pregnancy via a blood test as early as D19. The methods include drawing blood from heifers at D19 and D30 following AI. Whole blood was centrifuged in the laboratory, proceeding with the isolation of the WBC. Total RNA was extracted from WBC followed by cDNA synthesis and real-time PCR, for measuring expression of a variety of INTF-stimulated genes: ISG15, MX1, MX2, and OAS1. These genes are interferon-stimulated, which means that their expression levels can be associated with the presence of a developing conceptus secreting IFNT. Ultrasonography was performed at D30 of gestation to confirm pregnancy. MX2 mRNA expression was higher (P = 0.02) in pregnant compared to nonpregnant heifers. Similarly, ISG15 mRNA expression tended (P = 0.09) to increase in pregnant compared to nonpregnant heifers on D19 after AI. Results from the current study reinforces the idea that ISGs can be used to estimate early pregnancy in cattle. Further research needs to be conducted for the development of methods with high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of pregnancy in cattle
Cause and effects of soil acidity
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