Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Survey on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in communication sciences and disorders programs in the USA
No full textIn recent years, the concept of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has gained widespread recognition in higher education. These concepts have been at the center of institutional policies, faculty development initiatives, and student support programs as universities and colleges strive to create environments where all students feel valued and supported in their academic pursuits. Past literature has highlighted the progress and evolution of DEI, but there is a limited amount of research on the standardized implementation of DEI practices within communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs, creating inconsistencies in how these principles are taught and applied. Addressing this gap is essential for fostering a more inclusive and representative profession. The objective of the current study was to establish a comprehensive understanding of the current DEI practices within CSD programs across the U.S. as well as identify how these practices are affecting the well-being of students and faculty within the programs. This was achieved through data gathered from current CSD faculty and staff within the U.S. and Puerto Rico. This survey elicited responses about the participants’ demographics as well as their thoughts and feelings on DEI within their academic departments. The findings of this study, discovered through qualitative and quantitative analysis, unearthed several trends by showing how response patterns shift across subgroups as well as found four main themes from open response questions: (1) Equity and Inclusion Considerations, (2) Recruitment, Admissions, and Hiring, (3) Education, Training, and Institutional Development, and (4) Support, Funding, and Community Engagement. Further research is needed to reveal students' thoughts and opinions on DEI practices within their academic departments as well as a need for greater diverse perspectives on this topic. Through the findings of this survey, CSD professionals can find new ways to encourage DEI in their departments and help foster an environment that prioritizes inclusivity and equity for all those involved
Emerging threat of Candida auris: Epidemiology, drug resistance, and public health implications in the United States
No full textCandida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that is a significant threat in the United States due to its high mortality rates in immunocompromised populations, persistence on surfaces, and frequent misidentifications in clinical laboratories. As clinical cases continue to substantially rise across the United States, public healthcare systems are under increasing pressure to develop effective strategies for detecting, containing, preventing, and mitigating this pathogen.
This study aimed to look into real-world current challenges and experiences that healthcare professionals are dealing with in the process of identifying, managing, and responding to C. auris cases. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to healthcare professionals, ranging from epidemiologists, microbiologists, infection prevention, and laboratory supervisors, across the United States, to collect both quantitative and qualitative data in hopes of better understanding current diagnostic capabilities, infection control protocols and practices, barriers, and professional recommendations on how best to mitigate the spread. Thematic coding of open-ended responses revealed recurring concerns centered around staffing shortages, gaps in education and training, limited diagnostic capabilities, and ineffective screening procedures and allocation of resources. Many professionals cite overuse of antifungals as a contributing factor to the resistance of C. auris. Quantitative results back these findings up by showcasing variation in knowledge levels and access to proper diagnostic methods.
Findings from this study highlight the importance of improving education and training, expanding access to rapid and accurate diagnostic methods, and developing clear and standardized protocols for screening and containing C. auris. Recommendations from healthcare professionals with direct experience support this need for protocol reform, increased funding, reallocation of resources, and improved screening protocols to properly address the threat of C. auris in the United States. This research provides insight into how C. auris is currently impacting healthcare facilities, as well as how its being managed, and offers practical suggestions for mitigating the spread effectively. As the pathogen continues to evolve, understanding the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and facilities is crucial to strengthening proper responses and ensuring effective public health interventions
Investigating the impact of cover crops on greenhouse gas emissions in the Southern Great Plains region
No full textThe agriculture sector has been estimated to be responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Cover crops have been found to improve soil health by increasing soil organic matter, recycling nutrients, and reducing erosion. The objective of this project was to understand the effects of cover crops on greenhouse gas emissions, specifically in the Southern Great Plains. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas emissions were measured using steady-state gas flux chambers in a winter wheat-cotton cropping system rotation at Caddo Research Station in Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma. Winter wheat was planted as the cover crop with early termination, late termination, and no cover as main treatments. The gas samples were collected weekly in glass vials and were analyzed using a Varian-450 gas chromatograph (GC). The average gas emissions are estimated during the cover crop phase and cotton production phase. The flux of both gases was calculated using linear regression analysis and the ideal gas law, and the means of each treatment were compared for significance. Primary results of this study found no significant difference in N₂O and CO₂ emissions across the cover crop treatments during the cover crop phase and cotton production phase. However, there was a significant difference between average N₂O and CO₂ emissions in 2023 and 2024, likely attributed to temperature and moisture variability. Additionally, N₂O emissions were significantly higher in the cotton production phase than the cover crop phase in both years, indicating that nitrogen fertilizer may also play a role in N₂O emissions. In contrast, CO₂ emissions varied widely between crop phases and may depend on differences in weather, microbial activity, and decomposition rates. The results of this study highlight the variability of the efficiency of cover crops to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, specifically in regions where weather conditions can be unpredictable, and drought is prevalent
Will the use of internal bracing for UCL repair provide a shorter timeline of return to play for overhead athletes: A critically appraised topic
No full textClinical Scenario: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are becoming more prominent within the population of overhead athletes. Traditional procedures to repair the UCL have a long timeline, 12-14 months, to return to play (RTP), however the use of internal bracing provides a faster timeline for overhead athletes to RTP.Clinical Question: Does the use of internal bracing provide a faster recovery timeline for overhead athletes with UCL injury?Summary of Key Findings: A computerized search was performed to find the relationship with internal bracing for UCL repair in overhead athletes and RTP timelines. Two articles were found in the search and one hand picked that included in this appraisal.Clinical Bottom Line: Evidence suggests that overhead athletes that are suitable for UCL repair should use internal bracing as their source of repair compared to traditional reconstruction and repair. This is because it provides a shorter RTP timeline with a higher percentage of RTP at the same level of play or greater pre-injury.Strength of Recommendation: Based on the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy Scale, there is level C evidence to support the use of internal bracing for UCL repair for overhead athletes to have a faster return to play timeline
Clear as mud: Addressing visual plagiarism one Lunch & Learn at a time
No full textThis lightning talk covers the presenter’s Lunch & Learn program focusing on Visual Plagiarism. This program has garnered significant popularity among students at the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture. The presenter addresses the program's underlying motivations, the resources utilized for this activity, and ultimately, assesses the program's reception and overall success.falseLibrar
Endorsement of artificial intelligence guidelines across leading geriatric journals: A cross-sectional analysis
No full textBackground: Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing Geriatrics and Gerontology research by significantly enhancing data analysis, systematic reviews, and clinical applications. However, its integration introduces challenges related to transparency, ethical considerations, and reproducibility. This study scrutinizes the approaches adopted by leading Geriatrics and Gerontology journals in addressing these challenges and leveraging opportunities through their author instructions and policies.Methods: A cross-sectional review of the top 100 peer-reviewed Geriatrics and Gerontology journals, as ranked by the 2023 SCImago SJR indicator, was conducted. Data were meticulously extracted from each journal’s "Instructions for Authors" to assess AI-related policies, encompassing AI-specific reporting guidelines, authorship criteria, and the utilization of AI in manuscript preparation and image generation. Correlational analyses were performed to explore the relationship between AI policies and various journal characteristics.Results: Among the 100 journals evaluated, 28% explicitly addressed AI usage within their instructions, predominantly prohibiting AI authorship while mandating the disclosure of AI involvement in submissions. AI-generated content was sanctioned by 37% of journals, whereas 26% permitted AIgenerated images. Notably, journals with higher impact factors were more inclined to incorporate detailed AI policies, although substantial gaps in standardization and guidance persist.Conclusion: While numerous Geriatrics and Gerontology journals acknowledge the transformative role of AI in research, a minority endorse AI-specific reporting guidelines, thereby limiting the standardization and transparency of AI usage. It is recommended that comprehensive guidelines be adopted to ensure ethical, reproducible, and high-quality research in the era of AI-driven innovation
Analyses of the reporting status and scope of current interventions for pediatric strabismus trials within the National Library of Medicine
No full textBackground: Pediatric strabismus (PS) is one of the most common conditions for referrals to an ophthalmologist, with a worldwide prevalence of nearly 6%. Untreated strabismus may lead to amblyopia and irreversible decreased vision. Research through clinical trials is necessary to advance treatment options, thus our primary objective was to assess PS trials using the CDC’s Clinical Trial Database. Additionally, our secondary objective was to assess rates of PS trial discontinuation.Methods: We performed a search of the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s Clinical Trials Database (clinicaltrials.gov) on October 8, 2024, to capture interventional clinical trials that included children. We collated trials by completion status and reported rates of the type of strabismus assessed, intervention type, trial phase, enrollment, location, and funding source.Results: Of the 204 trials returned from the search, 77 met the inclusion criteria. Of the trials, the most frequent type of strabismus examined was exotropia (32, 41.6%) followed by general strabismus (24, 31.2%), and esotropia (12, 15.6%) and the most common interventions used were surgical (33, 42.9%) and devices (22, 28.6%). Egypt had the most registered PS trials (21, 27.3%) followed by the United States (20, 26.0%). Of the included trials, only 3 (3.9%) trials had been discontinued.Discussion: Our results showed that surgical interventions for PS were the most common intervention used and that few PS studies have been discontinued. Additionally, Egypt and the United States had the highest rates of registered PS clinical trials. Our study highlights the range of current clinical trials to help inform physicians and caregivers of individuals with PS
Mental health issues and retiring athletes gaps in mental health research for former college athletes: A scoping review
No full textBackground: Collegiate sports participation is integral to culture and identity. Transitioning from athletics to regular life often leads to significant mental health concerns. Abrupt lifestyle and identity changes can result in dietary, career, and health consequences that impact athletes' mental well-being. While some data addresses this transition, research focused on developing best practices to support athletes during this period remains limited. This study aims to conduct a scoping review to identify existing research and gaps concerning described supports in mental health, particularly depression and anxiety, in retired athletes.Methods: A scoping review was conducted following SCOPING review guidelines. We analyzed original research, literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trials, and case studies. Articles were sourced from PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and the Cochrane Library.Results: A total of 169 articles were identified, with 61 selected for full-text screening and 9 included in the study. These comprised 4 cross-sectional studies analyzing survey data, 4 systematic or scoping reviews, and 1 qualitative analysis. While all articles addressed depression or anxiety, most focused on individuals returning to exercise post-injury and quality of life.Conclusion: Current research highlights the needs of collegiate, professional, and retired athletes. Limited literature exists on former collegiate athletes, with available studies emphasizing university programs to ease transitions and help athletes apply their skills in retirement. Research gaps include examining programs across divisions and sports, minimizing self-reporting surveys, and conducting longitudinal studies. Future efforts should focus on addressing these gaps to better support athletes transitioning to life beyond sports
Uncovering genetic determinants of attenuation and drug resistance in SARS-CoV-2 and the development of a novel papain-like protease inhibitor
No full textThe continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 underscores the urgent demand for novel antiviral strategies. Among emerging variants, Omicron BA.1—harboring over 50 amino acid substitutions—displays markedly reduced pathogenicity compared to the early Washington (WA1) isolate. Deciphering the molecular basis of this attenuation is key to guiding future therapeutic development. While the over 30 spike protein mutations have been implicated, they do not fully explain BA.1’s attenuated phenotype, pointing to additional contributions from non-spike changes. To test this, I engineered recombinant viruses incorporating BA.1-derived non-spike substitutions and compared their replication dynamics with isogenic WA1. Our results reveal that both broad non-spike mutations and specific changes in nsp6 drive the attenuated phenotype. Notably, nsp6 variants were associated with recovery of enhanced lipid droplet accumulation in infected or transfected cells compared to wild-type nsp6, suggesting impaired viral modulation of lipid metabolism as a potential mechanism for reduced replication capacity of BA.1.
Another pressing issue is antiviral resistance, particularly against nirmatrelvir, the FDA-approved, oral protease inhibitor targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro, nsp5). Mapping resistance pathways is essential for therapeutic durability. Using recombinant viruses carrying Mpro variants identified through mutational screening, I determined that substitutions at residues S144, E166, and H172 confer viral resistance to nirmatrelvir. Although some mutations reduced viral fitness, compensatory mutations emerged, restoring replication efficiency and reinforcing the adaptability of the virus under drug pressure.
To overcome this challenge, additional drug targets must be pursued. The papain-like protease (PLᵖʳᵒ) is a critical viral enzyme with therapeutic potential, though historically difficult to inhibit. Our collaborators developed a series of noncovalent inhibitors optimized for binding to the Val70 side chain and BL2 groove pocket of PLᵖʳᵒ. The lead candidate, Jun12682, demonstrated potent activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants—including strains resistant to nirmatrelvir—in both cell culture and animal models. Oral administration of Jun12682 significantly improved survival and reduced pulmonary viral burden and pathology in infected mice, highlighting PLᵖʳᵒ inhibitors as a promising class of next-generation oral antivirals
Mental health in flight training: A comparison of Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools
No full textThe purpose of this study was to determine if conducting flight training under Part 61 versus Part 141 offers mental health advantages or supports and if one training program over the other encouraged mental health treatment, has more mental health resources, and creates less training anxiety.
A research questionnaire was created for this mixed-methods study and was completed by pilots who have conducted flight training in the last five years. The data revealed what schools provided mental health resources and how many students from both Part 61 and Part 141 programs elected to utilize mental health resources within or outside of their school. Flexibility of scheduling in a Part 61 program and the structured lessons and stage checks of Part 141 were analyzed to determine if they reduced training anxiety.
The study also analyzed Imposter Syndrome and found it was experienced by two thirds of respondents at some point in their life and nearly half of respondents experienced it specifically during their flight training. Imposter Syndrome was reported equally in Part 61 and Part 141 programs as well as across gender and age demographics