Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Short-term transfer function approximation using artificial neural network in a heterogeneous medium with groundwater advection
No full textTypically, g-functions are used to simplify and speed up the simulation of ground heat exchangers, but they usually neglect the layered heterogeneity and groundwater flow present in most natural environments. In this work, an artificial neural network capable of approximating the short-term transfer function at the outlet fluid temperature of a closed-loop borehole in a stratified hydrogeological environment is proposed. A total of 40,000 simulations were completed with a finite element model to construct the database used for training and testing. The accuracy of the neural network is measured on an independent test subset of 3,400 simulations with an average root mean square error of 5.4 × 10⁻³ °C. A new architecture, based on the combination of several neural networks, is also put forward allowing greater latitude in the approximation of complex nonlinear phenomena and likely reducing the drawbacks associated with the training database size
Bramble fruits
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
Nutrition and management of woody plant encroachment utilizing cattle and goats
No full textWoody plant encroachment (WPE) poses the greatest threat to the sustainability of Great Plains rangelands and the agricultural commodities produced there. With the loss of grasslands and the economic impact of WPE, it is especially important to understand the effects of modern brush management strategies and their implications for livestock production in the Great Plains. My experiments aim to improve grazing systems by understanding the mechanics of multispecies grazing and pyric herbivory on diet selection and intake of cattle and goats grazing woody plant encroached pastures. Furthermore, my experiments attempt to deepen the understanding of the digestion of targeted invasive species consumed by goats. My results indicate that cattle and goats select a diverse diet in encroached pastures, and selection is dynamic over time and in the presence of prescribed fire. The presence of goats in a pasture does not significantly alter the diet selection of cattle. Instead, goats are complementary to cattle by targeting plant species that cattle do not prefer. From my results, no evidence was found to suggest that woody plant proliferation influences gross mass of dry matter intake or as a percentage of body weight in cattle or goats. Additionally, my results parameterize rumen kinetics and metabolism of the highly invasive legume, Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). My results demonstrate that sericea is a less degradable legume than alfalfa. While sericea lespedeza created a more favorable rumen pH, sericea consumption resulted in increased acetate proportions and acetate:propionate ratios. Reduction of protein degradability was demonstrated through decreased ruminal NH3–N and branched chain VFA proportions. Furthermore, degradability of a grain supplement was negatively affected by feeding a sericea lespedeza diet
Is the crypto market nearing saturation? A look at density dependence & carrying capacity
No full textThe advent of Bitcoin in 2009 marked the inception of a new financial paradigm: a decentralized, secure, and low-cost medium of exchange independent of traditional financial institutions. Over the years, Bitcoin's success has spawned a burgeoning market of cryptocurrencies, exceeding 9,000 in circulation with a combined market value of over $2 trillion as of October 2024. This raises a fundamental question: How many cryptocurrencies are enough to satisfy the market? While previous research has examined individual cryptocurrencies or specific cryptocurrency market segments, a holistic, population-level analysis is lacking. This research aims to address this gap by applying density dependence theoretical frameworks to the cryptocurrency market. Density dependence posits that the growth and equilibrium of a population are influenced by factors like legitimation and competition, which affect vital rates such as founding and failure of individual entities. By analyzing the historical data of cryptocurrency founding and failure rates, this research seeks to determine if the market has reached a carrying capacity – a theoretical limit to the number of sustainable cryptocurrencies. The non-monotonic relationship between density and vital rates suggests a nonlinear growth pattern, reflecting the dynamic interplay of legitimation and competition. By understanding the factors influencing the equilibrium number of cryptocurrencies, policymakers, regulators, and market participants can make more informed decisions, ensuring an understanding of the stabilizing or destabilizing effects of their decisions on this rapidly evolving financial ecosystem.
This research provides insights into the magnitude, direction, and rate of change of cryptocurrency population’s vital rates, validates and enumerates the equilibrium carrying capacity for the market, and offers a theoretically and empirically valid model for predicting future population parameters. Furthermore, by confirming density dependence, this research paves the way for more focused investigations into the effects of competition and legitimation at the individual and population level, enabling broader generalizations about the cryptocurrency market and its population dynamics. This research is novel in that it extends density dependence theory to the cryptocurrency domain and that it employs novel methods of combining iterative least square optimization techniques with an array logistic growth modelling techniques
Effect of a phytogenic feed additive containing garlic, clove, and Capsicum oleoresin on the health and performance of newly-received, high-risk calves
No full textThis experiment assessed the effects of a phytogenic feed additive (PGA) containing garlic, clove, and Capsicum oleoresin on performance and health of high-risk, newly-received beef calves. Crossbred steers and bulls (n = 712; n = 371 steers; n = 341 bulls; initial body weight; BW = 239 ± 6.8 kg) were stratified by arrival sex and BW, then randomly allocated to experimental treatments (n = 9 pens per treatment; n = 24 to 29 calves per pen). Treatments included: 0 mg ⋅ steer⁻¹ ⋅ d⁻¹ of PGA (PGA0), 250 mg ⋅ steer ⁻¹ ⋅ d⁻¹ of PGA (PGA250), or 500 mg ⋅ steer⁻¹ ⋅ d⁻¹ of PGA (PGA500). No differences in BW existed throughout the experiment (P ≥ 0.20; PGA vs. PGA0 P ≥ 0.11). In the overall model, no differences (P ≥ 0.23) in ADG existed. However, when comparing calves receiving PGA to calves receiving PGA0, ADG tended to be greater in calves receiving PGA from d 0 to d 14 (P = 0.09). No differences in DMI existed throughout the experiment (P ≥ 0.27; PGA vs. PGA0 P ≥ 0.13). No differences in G:F existed between treatments (P ≥ 0.26), however when comparing calves receiving PGA to calves receiving PGA0, G:F tended to be greater in calves receiving PGA from d 0 through d 14 (P = 0.10). Steers receiving PGA500 were treated with an antimicrobial for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) less often than steers receiving PGA0, with PGA250 being intermediate. Steers receiving PGA were also treated once for BRD less often (P = 0.01) compared to steers receiving PGA0. The percentage of mortalities and the percentage of steers removed from the study were not different (P ≥ 0.16; PGA vs. PGA0 P ≥ 0.14); however, there tended to be more combined mortalities and removals for steers receiving PGA (P = 0.09). In summary, the reduction in antimicrobial treatments for BRD in cattle receiving PGA has the potential to reduce the overall use of antibiotics in beef production, but the impact of PGA on mortalities and removals needs investigated further
Associations of clinical personnel characteristics and telemedicine practices: An analysis of the National Electronic Health Records Survey
No full textBackground: The use of telemedicine strategies has been increasing in the US for more than a decade, with physicians taking advantage of this new tool to reach more patients. Determining the specific demographics of physicians using telemedicine most in their practice can inform recommendations for expanded telemedicine use among all physicians and aid in mitigating the need for physicians felt by urban and rural populations.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of the 2021 National Electronic Health Records Survey to determine the relationship between physician characteristics and telemedicine practices. Differences between groups were measured via design-based chi-square tests.Results: Compared to male physicians, female physicians were more likely to use telemedicine services (X2 = 8.0; P = .005). Compared to younger physicians, those over the age of 50 were less likely to use telemedicine services (X2 = 4.1; P = .04). Compared to primary care physicians, medical and surgical specialty physicians were less likely to use telemedicine services, with surgical specialty physicians being the least likely overall (X2 = 11.5; P < .001). We found no significant differences in telemedicine use based on degree (Osteopathic and Allopathic).Conclusions: Our results showed a statistically significant difference between physician’s age, sex, and specialty on telemedicine use in practice during 2021. Efforts to increase telemedicine use among physicians may be needed to provide more accessible care to patients. Thus, by increasing physician education on the importance of telemedicine for modern patients, more physicians may decide to use telemedicine services in practice
Assessing Generation Z perceptions of careers in the fire service: A study of southern California high school students
No full textAs contemporary discussions related to recruitment and retention of employees persist throughout the county, fire administrators must acknowledge the new norm facing the fire service. The declining interest in pursuing careers in the fire service pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic; however, little research related to this phenomenon currently exists. This study seeks to learn more about the waning interest in working as a firefighter though assessing career desires of Generation Z high school students. The aim of this research study is to gain a better understanding of contemporary firefighter recruitment challenges through assing Generation Z (Gen Z) perceptions of careers in the Fire Service. This study is informed by pragmatism, induction, semi-structured qualitative interviewing, and content analysis. Students from three high schools in the San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD), located in San Diego County, California, participated in this study. A total of 41 semi-structured interviews of Gen Z high school students were conducted, with students answering a series of up to twelve questions focused on post-high school aspirations, including career desires. Audio files of the recorded interviews were transcribed utilizing Otter.ai and researcher review. The software Atlas.ti was then used to analyze, code, and categorize the transcribed information from the interviews. The final 69 codes and 13 categories that emerged from the content analysis process resulted in three themes linked to Gen Z perceptions of careers in the Fire Service: 1) Holistic Health Work Lifestyle; 2) Profession on a Pedestal; and 3) Widening Envisioning Gap. Four recommendations are presented aimed at addressing the Envisioning Gap that exists between Gen Z perceptions of the fire service and their collective lack of desire to pursue careers in firefighting. Future research should focus on assessing career desires of a broader age range within the Gen Z cohort, exploring workplace changes that may be implemented throughout the Fire Service, and exploring the development of Public Service Motivation (PSM)
Investigating the impact of virtual reality-based interactions among stutterers and non-stutterers
No full textThis thesis has two thrusts in the broader context of human computer interaction (HCI). The first thrust deals with exploring the impact of a virtual reality-based therapy approach to help stuttering individuals. The second thrust relates to studying how awareness and concentration in a VR scenario affects the general population. The results of this second research thrust will enable future researchers to study how Alanis and concentration affects the behavior of stuttering individuals. This thesis investigates the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) based environments as part of therapeutic approaches to help adolescents and young adults reduce their stuttering. Stuttering affects not just an individual's speech fluency but also their confidence and social interactions. While traditional stuttering treatments provide certain advantages, they often fall short in helping in the transition to real-life communication scenarios. In this study, three immersive VR environments have been created for therapeutic purposes where participants can practice speaking. The methods adopted seek to reduce stuttering, reduce anxiety, and improve communication skills in a simulated “life like” group settings. Therapy sessions involved interacting with three different VR scenarios, aiming to replicate real-life communication challenges. The results showed that VR therapy helped reduce stuttering, decrease anxiety, and boost participants' confidence in speaking. This suggests that VR offers a more interactive and engaging way to improve communication skills proposing a significant advancement in the treatment of stuttering. The VR environments were created using Unity and Oculus Rift
Assessment of the abundance and type of microplastics in sediments from the Pacific Crest Trail
No full textThe Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a long-distance hiking trail that spans 2653 miles. The trail starts near the border with Mexico, runs along the Sierra Nevada mountains, passes through the States of California, Oregon, Washington and spans all the way to British Columbia, Canada. The PCT receives hundreds of hikers, and although in general, people that hike the PCT are environmentally mindful, human presence can leave plastic waste in the trail. This waste can break down into microplastics, particles with a size between 5 millimeters and 1 micrometer. Microplastics can accumulate in sediments across the trail with unknown effects on the soil environment. For that purpose, sediment samples that have been collected along the entire length of the trail in collaboration Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research. Our current work has been focused on processing the soil samples with elutriation, chemical digestion, and density separation. Our future work will be focused on analyzing the abundance and type of MPs in samples with fluorescence microscopy, Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transformed Infrared Microscopy (ATR-FTIR), and pyrolysis Gas Chromatography (py-GC-MS). Our work will help to better understand the abundance of MPs trails associated with hiking activity in the PCT.Civil and Environmental Engineerin
Does market integration where you live impact blood pressure and overall health in Vanuatu
No full textChronic illnesses such as hypertension affect millions every day. Scientists and researchers have attributed said illnesses to numerous factors such as genetics, weight, gender, and diet. All are known to increase the likelihood of contracting hypertension. Areas like Vanuatu experiencing market integration, have been introduced to a new abundance of artificial food items. Looking at these factors on a broader scope allows us to potentially visualize how distance to urban areas with high levels of market integration might show an increased amount of individuals with some of these symptoms. This study aims to look at several communities that vary in distance from Port Vila, the most urban area of Vanuatu, and obtain various health measures from residents to see any correlation in high blood pressure and distance between Port Vila and respective communities. We predict that the communities closer to the urban Port Vila, most heavily affected by market integration, will show high numbers of people with elevated blood pressure, placing them at risk for chronic illnesses such as hypertension. Several factors were considered as possible effectors of this study and biomarkers taken, such as chronic conditions and current medications the subjects might already possess. With market integration continuing to spread throughout rural areas, studies such as this are important to see its potential health effect on those communities