Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Perceptions of career teachers in high attrition sites and their decisions to teach in the state of Oklahoma: A qualitative case study
No full textThe qualitative case study explores the perceptions of career teachers who choose to work in high attrition elementary school sites, despite the high teacher turnover and critical teacher shortage. Using the Motivation-Hygiene (Two-Factor) theory, proposed by Frederick Herzberg, Bernard Mausner, and Barbara Block Snyderman in their study The Motivation to Work (1959, 1993), as a theoretical lens, this study looks at the reasons why teachers choose to work in these challenging schools, as opposed to the reasons why other teachers are choosing to leave. Study findings suggest that while extrinsic factors, such as teacher pay, relationships with coworkers and administration, and lack of support can lead to job dissatisfaction, intrinsic factors, such as a passion for the profession, feelings of success with high-risk students, and grit and determination provide the impetus to overcome obstacles and remain in the classroom
Visual history of women's sports at OSU
No full textThis poster series was designed to highlight four women's sports programs at Oklahoma State and their achievements over the years. The goal was for the project to be rooted in graphic design while including multimedia and archival elements. For each respective team there are three posters representing different eras in the program's history. Where they started (black background), where they've been (orange background), and where they're going (white background).I began by researching each sport and noting specific historical events and milestones to establish each era. One of the challenges at this stage was the lack of centralized archived information for women's sports at OSU. Once enough information was gathered, I put together vision boards for the posters using inspiration from Pinterest and social media. My goal was to mimic a scrapbook look by using paper and hand drawn elements.Next I collected images and elements from various sources. I visited Heritage Hall in Gallagher Iba Arena and took photos of the items in each team's section. I collected images from OSU Athletics and talked to a few sports information directors within athletics. I also gathered old yearbook pages from the library's virtual archive. This process allowed me to establish a vision and gain inspiration for each design.Once I collected resources, I began designing each poster using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. This process was the lengthiest, but most rewarding. I gained appreciation for each sport by spending time in each era. One of the main issues in women's sports is a lack of media coverage compared to men's sports. This project allowed me to highlight the successes and history of women's athletics at OSU and contribute positively to the media coverage of women's sports
Trans-rectal ultrasound-coupled near-infrared optical tomography of the prostate. Part II: Experimental demonstration
No full textWe demonstrate trans-rectal optical tomography of the prostate using an endo-rectal near-infrared (NIR) applicator integrated with a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) probe. The endo-rectal NIR applicator incorporated a design presented in our previously reported work. A continuous-wave NIR optical tomography system is combined with a commercial US scanner to form the dual-modality imager. Sagittal transrectal imaging is performed concurrently by endo-rectal NIR and TRUS. The TRUS ensures accurate positioning of the NIR applicator as well as guides NIR image reconstruction using the spatial prior of the target. The use of a condom, which is standard for TRUS, is found to have minimal effect on trans-rectal NIR imaging. Tests on avian tissues validates that NIR imaging can recover the absorption contrast of a target, and its accuracy is improved when the TRUS spatial prior is incorporated. Trans-rectal NIR/US imaging of a healthy canine prostate in situ is reported.Electrical and Computer EngineeringVeterinary Clinical Science
Application of UAS-based remote sensing in estimating crop phenotypic traits
No full textTraditional field-based methods for monitoring crop phenotypic traits—defined as structural and biochemical characteristics and their variability during plant life cycle—are costly and limited in their ability to cover large spatial extents. Therefore, I aimed to test the application of unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) in monitoring crop traits. I designed two experiments to achieve two objectives: (1) assess the ability of UAS-derived metrics in estimating nitrogen (N) content, yield, and several structural traits, including leaf area index (LAI), plant height, fresh and dry biomass, and yield over the growing season and (2) determine the impact of spatial and spectral resolution on retrieval accuracy of N content. While both experiments took place in Stillwater, Oklahoma, U.S., experiment 1 was conducted on winter wheat while experiment 2 was conducted on corn and sorghum. To achieve the objectives, I used an UAS system to collect multispectral imagery, a spectroradiometer to collect non-imaging hyperspectral data, and conducted field campaigns to harvest foliage samples for trait quantification. In terms of methodology, I used a suite of vegetation indices (VIs) and machine learning algorithms (MLAs) to estimate crop traits. My findings provided evidence that relatively simple VIs, as opposed to complex MLAs, can be reliably used for estimating crop traits and yield. This is an important finding in the context of crop monitoring as developing MLAs requires multiple extensive in-situ data collection campaigns. Further, results showed that UAS data with coarse spectral resolution had similar performance at estimating crop traits when compared to our spectroradiometer data with fine spectral resolution. In addition, UAS data with pixel sizes ranging from 1 cm to 1 m had similar performance in terms of correlation coefficient (r) and root mean square (RMSE) at estimating N content, suggesting that data with spatial resolution of approximately 1 m might be sufficient for monitoring crop traits. Overall, these findings can potentially aid breeders through providing rapid and non-destructive proxies of crop phenotypic traits. Moreover, my findings indicate the possibility of developing cheaper spectral monitoring instruments without sacrificing prediction accuracy of crop traits
We are not okay: Exploring Black masculinities, race-related stress, and help seeking attitudes in Black men
No full textGriffith and Cornish (2018) suggest that Black men are often tasked with navigating society as beings that are both feared and adored. Black men in college are often tasked with navigating spaces that view their Black bodies as a threat. The purpose of the proposed study is to explore the relationships between Black masculinities, race-related stress, and attitudes towards seeking professional mental health services in Black men who are enrolled in college. Additionally, based upon a review of the existing literature, this study is believed to be the first time Black masculinities has been defined as a construct in relationship with mental health help- seeking attitudes and race-related stressors. This study seeks to define Black masculinities as a construct that can predict mental health help seeking attitudes. It is hypothesized that Black masculinities and race-related stress will negatively predict mental health help seeking attitudes in Black and African American men in college. Multiple regression analysis will be used to look at the relationship between two predictor variables (Black masculinity and race-related stress) on one criterion variable (Help Seeking Attitudes). The results will inform university and college campuses, counseling centers, and communities on ways to assist mental professionals who may need to receive more training to learn how to effectively respond to race-related stressors within Black men. Furthermore, this study may inform college administration and college counseling centers on new ways to adequately assess the needs of Black men on campus. This information will be useful for creating events and organizations that highlight the mental health needs of Black men
Perceptions of science communication by professional communicators
No full textScientific progress by itself is not enough to move society forward. As an example, measles was basically eradicated in the United States only to make a comeback because of declining vaccination rates (Patel et al., 2019). As the number of news outlets and journalists continues in a decades-long decline, there is a need for science communication from reputable sources (Brownell et al., 2013; Simis et al., 2016). Science communication needs to improve, and one of the areas to be addressed is the lack of training and resources available to new researchers (Bankston & McDowell, 2018). Three two-hour science communication training sessions were conducted targeting student researchers at Oklahoma State University in the Ferguson College of Agriculture. Communication professionals were brought in as a part of the training so students could receive feedback from those actively engaging in science communication in their day-to-day work. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with communication professionals who participated in the sessions to get their perspectives on science communication and the training methods. There were four key themes from the interviews: defining science communication, importance of science communication, serving the science community, and potential of science communication trainings. The participants stated the need for science communication, which is well documented in the literature (Brownell et al., 2013; Simis et al., 2016; Voytek, 2017). Underpinning that belief is the assumption that the public lacks scientific literature, which is also a well-documented occurrence (Besley & Tanner, 2011). The participants were making statements and recommendations based on the needs of the audience: simplifying information so it can be understood and delivering that information through a variety of channels (Baram-Tsabari & Lewenstein, 2017; Bray et al., 2012; Dudo & Besley, 2016; West & Turner, 2018). While science communication needs to improve (Bankston & McDowell, 2018; Besley & Tanner, 2011), a notable finding of this research is why communication professionals would engage in training they do not immediately benefit from. These participants were engaging in the training in service to the student researchers, but also with the expectation that improving science communication will provide tangible benefits to society and research institutions.Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadershi
Authentic research-based experiences and the impact in a general chemistry laboratory course
No full textChemistry is an interdisciplinary science, yet many students in the lower-level chemistry courses struggle to see its immediate connection to daily experiences and other STEM disciplines. It is important to note that even with course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) making inroads into General Chemistry, many lack “relevance” to students. “Relevance” is herein operationalized as having connections to students’ daily experiences, societal applications, connections to chemistry concepts, and interdisciplinary connections. As gateway courses to STEM programs, General Chemistry laboratory courses can be revamped to convey relevance, improve the overall laboratory learning experiences, and improve students’ conceptual understanding of abstract and difficult chemistry concepts. To achieve these objectives, five inquiry-based ‘relevant’ authentic research experiences (RAREs) modules were developed and implemented in the General Chemistry I laboratory course. In addition, assessment of the impacts of the laboratory modules on students’ affective outcomes and mastery of targeted chemistry concepts was conducted. A quasi-experimental research design and a mixed-methods approach were employed. Specifically, some laboratory sections were exposed to the conventional laboratory experiments (comparison group), and others to the RAREs modules (treatment group). Data sources included structured mid- and post- survey scores, an end-of-semester open-ended questionnaire responses, and achievement scores on targeted concepts in the final General Chemistry test. Key results showed 1) significant improvements on certain affective measures over others, such as personal relevance, societal relevance, and interdisciplinary relevance, 2) significant gains on reported scientific skills among the minority ethnic groups, who were exposed to RAREs modules compared to their peers who were exposed to the conventional experiments, and 3) significant mean difference between the treatment group and the comparison group on the mastery of concepts related to Gas Laws and Calorimetry, favoring the RAREs lab modules
Effect of additive-manufactured fuel grain geometry on small-scale hybrid rocket performance
No full textThis paper presents a parametric study of additive-manufactured fuel grain geometry on small-scale hybrid rocket performance. The motivation of this study is to understand and increase hybrid rocket performance to be a more viable option when compared to solid and liquid rocket propulsion systems. Hybrid rocket engine systems consist of two different propellant components: a solid fuel and a liquid or gaseous oxidizer. This research evaluates the use of additive-manufactured polylactic acid filament as a potential propellant in a hybrid rocket propulsion system. Additive-manufactured fuel grains provide an engine system capable of reduced operational expenses, reduced operational hazards by having separate fuel and oxidizer, and highly tailorable rocket performance with custom grain geometry and composition. On top of all that, these fuel grains provide a safer alternative to the volatile nature of solid rocket propellants, as well as simplifying manufacturing and easing storage requirements associated with fuel grains. The primary goal of this study is to observe the variances in hybrid rocket engine performance as a function of differing infill densities and infill geometries present within the fuel grain. Because the practice of additive-manufactured fuel is new, the parameters associated with manufacturing fuel grains are largely not well understood when related to rocket engine performance. By adjusting the infill percentage and infill shape print pattern of the fuel, different thrusts, burn times, and burn rates can be achieved due to the change in surface area, density, and its reaction with the oxidizer flow. Performance variances were evaluated on a 38-mm diameter hybrid rocket engine system over fuel grains with three different infill densities of 30%, 50%, and 70% with cubic infill geometry. Performance variances were then evaluated on the same engine system over fuel grains with three different infill geometries of cubic, triangular, and concentric with a 50% infill density. Small sample ANOVA testing at a 95% confidence interval concludes that there are significant statistical differences in the mean for average thrust, total impulse, specific impulse, and regression rate for the infill density testing campaign. However, small sample ANOVA tests were unable to deduce a significant statistical difference in the means for any of the infill geometry cases. Although no statistical significance was present, certain trends were still able to be deduced which warrants testing for larger scale HREs. Follow-up work includes increasing the scale of the HRE in diameter and case length, comparisons between PLA and ABS in terms of performance and consistency, variation of port geometry and its effects on thrust profiles and regression rate, and using certain additives such as metal powders to affect the burn rate and thrust produced
Socially extended mind hypothesis: Includes human
No full textThe extended mind hypothesis suggests that cognitive processes can include external objects. The current interpretation of it is distributed throughout social institutions, encompassing the environment and its elements. Humen are external objects to each other; they are embedded in a collectively developed socio-cultural environment. The external world is active, and it has an instantaneous impact on human beings' short-term memory, which eventually helps in forming long-term memory through prioritizing, repeating, and remembering. The socio-cultural environment in which they are embedded also influences and shapes their cognitive processes. They possess different psychological states that allow them to create meaningful objects and language. Ignoring their dynamic relationship with the external world will hamper the fundamental elements that are necessary for the development of long-term memory. Through the process of embodiment, humans incorporate some cognitive processes into their physical bodies, eventually relieving the brain of excess cognitive burden. The various psychological traits that are embodied and ingrained are reflected in the agent's visible conduct. The shared world that humans have collectively created and are necessarily embedded in makes any ultimate intentionality, reasoning, or cognitive process less likely; instead, they are the results of society and culture. It is possible to hold humans as a cognitive device if we consider them to be social beings who understand each other equally. For this interpretation, I will take social embeddedness, pre-reflective awareness, and the integration of internal and external approaches into consideration
Beekeeping multiproduct costs and break-even calculations
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