Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Question the status quo through (re)creation, (un)learning, and (re)iteration: Alternative grading in higher education
No full textAccording to bell hooks, education is the practice of freedom—of liberatory practice where the classroom is the “most radical space of possibility in the academy” (1994:12). The classroom is a space ideally designed to disrupt and question the status quo of knowledge production and social responsibility. There is great potential for liberation in education, but we can still observe forms of subjugation, unquestioned obedience, constraint, and oppression. One place oppression shows up is in the traditional grading system. Grades have been shown to reduce risk taking and creativity, be a major stressor, and increase anxiety. This two-phase research project based on teacher interviews and a student survey examined the impact and perceptions of alternative grading in higher education. In Phase 1, 80 semi-structured interviews were conducted with higher education teachers who have implemented alternative grading. They were asked how they define and practice ungrading, what impact ungrading has on stress, and mental health outcomes of college students and educators. Teacher interviews were coded and analyzed to inform the student survey along with direct feedback from participants via a collaborative GoogleDoc. Phase 2 consisted of a Qualtrics survey disseminated to students who attended alternative graded courses across the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Europe. Students were asked about the benefits and challenges of alternative grading and traditional grading. In addition, they were asked questions about stress as it related to alternative and traditional grading. Qualitative responses were analyzed for this study, n= 370-445). The benefits of alternative grading for students proposed by teachers included reduction in stress, allowing students to focus more on learning than grades, more equitable, and giving students more agency. Teachers often felt more fulfilled and provided a more equitable curriculum. Students responded with feelings of reduced stress, increased agency, and increased focus on learning over grades. In addition, students reported higher levels of stress in traditional courses when compared to their alternatively graded course. Students also reported reviewing feedback more often and found the feedback to be more helpful in alternatively graded courses compared to their traditionally graded courses
How fear and media shape childbirth risk perception in college students
No full textThe cesarean section rate in the United States remains far above the level considered optimal for maternal and infant health, reaching 32.3% in recent years. Estimates from the World Health Organization suggest that rates of 20% or lower are associated with the best outcomes. Although vaginal birth carries risks, it is generally safer for both parent and infant, raising the question of why cesarean rates continue to rise. Fear and anxiety, in situations of objective danger, are evolutionarily adaptive. However, they may also increase vulnerability to distorted media portrayals that often focus on rare complications. Such portrayals might affect expectations among young adults who are still developing beliefs about childbirth. This study examines how fear of childbirth, basic childbirth knowledge, and exposure to media relate to perceptions of childbirth risk among college students. We surveyed 50 undergraduate students (ages 18–25) at Oklahoma State University with no prior experience giving birth. We collected demographic information along with a fear-of-childbirth assessment, a knowledge assessment in which participants estimated the frequency of 15 childbirth outcomes, and a list of television shows depicting births that participants had watched. We predict that students with higher fear levels will overestimate the likelihood of rare complications and that greater exposure to childbirth portrayals in media is associated with higher misperceptions. Understanding how such beliefs form may provide insight into the social and psychological factors contributing to rising cesarean section rates, particularly by shaping expectations before people become parents
Determination of molecular mechanism of SAMD9 for recognition and cleavage of phenylalanine tRNA by tRNase SA
No full textSAMD9 is a human protein associated with innate immunity and disease suppression, including roles in inflammatory disorders and antiviral responses. Recent findings suggest that a truncated fragment of SAMD9 (residues 156–385) possesses enzymatic activity toward phenylalanine tRNA (tRNAPhe), classifying it as a tRNase with potential anticodon nuclease (ACNase) function. To investigate this, a recombinant His-SUMO-tagged SAMD9 (156–385) construct was expressed in E. coli and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, ULP-1 protease cleavage, and size exclusion chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed successful expression and isolation of the protein in a soluble, monomeric form. A final concentration of 25.16 mg/mL was achieved, indicating high yield and purity. Binding of SAMD9 to tRNAPhe was assessed using a native gel shift assay, comparing wild-type and W333A mutant proteins. Both variants formed protein-RNA complexes, as evidenced by mobility shifts in native PAGE, suggesting preserved tRNA-binding activity. These findings provide foundational insight into the RNA recognition and cleavage capabilities of SAMD9 and lay the groundwork for future studies into its enzymatic mechanism and role in innate immune regulation
What factors influence EMS run times in rural settings? A mixed-methods analysis of urbanicity and volunteerism
No full textThis study examined emergency medical service (EMS) response times in rural settings, with a particular focus on the role of volunteer providers between 2018 and 2022. Recognizing that timely emergency responses are critical to patient outcomes, especially in rural and underserved areas, this research aimed to determine whether a decline in volunteerism has contributed to changes in EMS response performance. Data was requested from state and federal agencies to analyze longitudinal trends in response time, personnel composition, and related operational metrics. The objective was to identify significant shifts in service delivery and to explore correlations between response times and the availability of volunteer personnel. This study's importance lies in its potential to inform public health planning and emergency management strategies. As rural EMS systems increasingly face staffing shortages, particularly due to the decline in volunteerism, understanding the magnitude and nature of this impact is essential for developing sustainable service delivery models. While volunteer availability was a central focus, other contributing factors were identified, including population shifts, funding constraints, infrastructure disparities, and barriers to training and certification.
To supplement the quantitative data, a qualitative component was included through semi-structured interviews with Paramedics, Flight Medics, EMS educators, and members of regional EMS planning groups in the Texas Panhandle. These interviews provided context-rich insights into the perceived causes of changes in response time and the local dynamics influencing EMS volunteerism.
The study comprehensively examines the evolving challenges in rural EMS delivery by integrating both quantitative trend analysis and qualitative field perspectives. The findings indicate that while volunteerism is important, urbanicity exerts a more substantial influence on EMS run times, highlighting the need for broader structural reforms alongside volunteer recruitment and retention strategies. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on rural healthcare access and may guide policy recommendations to strengthen emergency response systems in rural communities.
The findings showed shifts in response time. COVID-19 was a factor in the time frame used, and the interviews and the perceptions on the effects during that time frame discussed this. The qualitative review identified other factors that could have resulted in the shifts discussed
Providing accommodating formats in psychological reports for adults with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder to increase client accessibility of information
No full textThis study explores the use of different font styles and textual emphasizers within the summary and recommendations sections of psychological assessment reports for adults with ADHD. It aims to understand how formatting may impact client satisfaction with accessibility of the information within important sections of psychological reports for clients with varying severity of ADHD symptoms. All participants (N = 174) completed a self-report ADHD measure to measure symptom severity, and then they all participated in two conditions. First, participants viewed examples of three different font styles and chose which font style they preferred most. They then read a mock sample of a summary and recommendations section of a report in that font style and completed a satisfaction survey based on the font style they read in. Next, participants viewed examples of three different textual emphasizers and chose which emphasizer style they preferred most. They then read a different mock sample of a summary and recommendations section of a report with that textual emphasizer and completed a satisfaction survey based on the emphasizer style they read with. Participants reported similar overall satisfaction levels regardless of font style. However, an item-level analysis of satisfaction survey items revealed that participants reported higher satisfaction with their attention being maintained when reading with the Arial font. Participants reported significantly higher overall satisfaction when reading reports with Bold or Color textual emphasizers compared to no emphasizer. The item-level analyses of satisfaction survey items revealed that use of Bold and Color emphasizers led to higher satisfaction with accommodation of diagnosis, catching attention to important information, understanding the information, and the presentation of the information. Due to the small sample size and unbalanced group sizes contributing to the lower power and possible lower internal validity of this study, more research is needed to better understand the impact that different formatting options have on satisfaction levels of summary and recommendation sections of psychological reports for adults with ADHD
Rural labor market resilience to extreme weather events
No full textWith extreme weather events on the rise, resilience to such events has garnered much attention in media and academia. Past research into community resilience has often focused primarily on urban areas. This study aims to evaluate the resilience of U.S. rural labor markets to four different extreme weather events - flood, hurricane, wildfire, and tornado. We utilized data from various sources and employed the De Chaisemartin and d’Haultfoeuille (2024) difference-in-difference (DIDl) estimator as well as a Cox proportional hazards model to analyze the impact of extreme weather events on county employment levels. This study found that tornadoes have the most significant negative impact on rural employment with a drop of approximately 0.3 jobs per capita for each additional $1,000 in damages per capita. Furthermore, results from our hazard model provide information into key factors associated with recovery time. Insights from this study can inform targeted resilience and risk management strategies for rural regions susceptible to extreme weather events
Stress appraisals and responses in uncertain work environments: Challenge and hindrance pathways, moderated by coping resources
No full textThis dissertation investigates the impact of workplace interpersonal uncertainty on employee stress appraisals and coping behaviors in the hotel industry. It explores how employees perceive and manage interpersonal uncertainty both as a challenge—promoting creativity—and a hindrance—requiring emotion regulation. The study further examines how internal and external coping resources, including locus of control, team psychological capital, and charismatic leadership, shape these appraisals and responses. Interpersonal uncertainty in hospitality emerges from three primary sources: customers (due to varying demands and behaviors), coworkers (due to turnover and fluctuating schedules), and supervisors (due to inconsistent expectations and management styles). These uncertainties significantly affect employee well-being and performance in the hospitality industry. While such stressors can lead to anxiety and depression, they may also stimulate creativity when perceived as a challenge. Existing literature often emphasizes negative outcomes of stress, overlooking the dual nature of uncertainty and the coping mechanisms that help employees adapt. This research addresses that gap by showing how employees’ appraisals of uncertainty influence their coping strategies and how individual-, team- and organizational-level resources moderate these effects. Theoretically, by integrating Uncertainty Management Theory with the Transactional Theory of Stress, this study shifts the focus from predefined stressors to individuals’ cognitive appraisals. It underscores that the same source of uncertainty can be evaluated both positively and negatively, leading to distinct coping responses. Notably, the study reveals that challenge appraisals can simultaneously trigger both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. It also highlights the role of relational contexts—such as interactions with customers, coworkers, or supervisors—in shaping the resources available for coping and the ways uncertainty is interpreted and managed. Practically, the findings highlight how locus of control, team psychological capital, and leadership style help frame uncertainty as an opportunity across different relational contexts. The study recommends leadership development and team-building programs to reduce hindrance appraisals and encourage creative problem-solving. By doing so, organizations can transform interpersonal uncertainty into a catalyst for creativity and resilience in the hospitality sector
Hiding in plain sight: Faculty sexual misconduct in higher education
No full textIn the wake of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, the United States is seeing a major shift in women empowerment and the national spotlight has been placed on sexual harassment, assault, and stalking. This includes how faculty at institutions of higher education (IHEs) exploit power dynamics with their students through various forms of sexual misconduct. Faculty sexual misconduct (FSM) is connected to the larger phenomenon of gendered institutions and complicated reporting procedures through Title IX. Scholarship currently shows that students who experience FSM undergo shared environmental space trauma, academic disruptions, and negative health decline. The purpose of the present study is to better understand the unique forms of FSM experienced and both individual and institutional outcomes following FSM. This study used a mixed-methodological approach that included collection of data through the online survey provider Qualtrics and Zoom interviews. The survey collected basic demographic information, total number of and type of FSM experiences, perpetrator gender and relationship, institutional information, reporting status, the Institutional Betrayal and Support Questionnaire Version 1 was given to gauge institutional betrayal scores, and a qualitative block to describe FSM experience(s) was voluntary. Those interested in participating in an interview could put their email address and pseudonym at the end of the survey. Interviews were in a semi-structured format based on narrative inquiry. Findings showed that participants experienced a various forms of FSM, multiple negative mental health outcomes, low reporting rate (26%), and a mean institutional betrayal score of 106 out of an index of 180. Qualitative findings highlighted six main themes: whisper networks, overriding boundaries, power, support, aftermath, and reporting. Insights from the current study can broaden the understanding of FSM survivors while simultaneously point IHE administrators to policy changes that hold faculty members accountable and further protect the students of their campus. Implications from this study include FSM specific training for all students, staff, and faculty, improved statements in faculty handbooks that outline FSM and specific disciplinary actions for violating the policy, flexibility with withdrawal dates and courses with pass/fail grades for students who experienced FSM from the professor of those courses, and improved hiring practices to prevent faculty from escaping allegations of FSM to another institution
Impact of management of composite beef × dairy crossbreds on animal performance and economics of beef production
No full textThis research explored post-weaning management and pre-weaning plane of nutrition through two interconnected studies and one study comparing post-weaning management of beef × dairy crossbred steers to native beef steers on finishing performance, efficiency, and carcass characteristics. The first study evaluated 475 steers placed in either a backgrounding-phase before finishing (GRW) or directly into finishing (FIN) following weaning. Steers in FIN demonstrated an increase in animal performance and improved carcass characteristics. The second study examined 109 beef × dairy crossbred steers fed either a high-plane of nutrition (HI) or moderate-plane of nutrition (MOD) pre-weaning and its subsequent effects on the finishing phase. Plane of nutrition affected BW through 29 wk of age and improved carcass quality. The third study examined 184 beef × dairy (DB) steers placed in either a yearling-fed (YF) or calf-fed (CF) system compared to 160 native beef (NB) steers placed in the same system. This study found DB steers can exhibit hardiness and compensatory gain, and grazing these steers can improve animal performance and certain carcass characteristics, but further research on the prevalence of liver abscess needs to be conducted. Based on the third study, an economic analysis was done to determine the profitability of DB steers when managed alongside NB steers. The economic analysis indicated NBYF steers are the most profitable followed by DBCF, DBYF, and NBCF, respectively, which further indicates DB calves can be competitive to their NB counterparts
Advancing alternatives to antibiotics: Investigating bacteriocin activity against MRSA and GBS
No full textIntroduction/Objectives: Bacteria produce antimicrobial peptides called bacteriocins that inhibit the growth and/or kill other bacteria. Efforts are being made to harness this natural activity to reduce our dependence on antibiotics, thus decreasing the spread of antibiotic resistance and associated human mortality. This study serves as an investigation into bacteriocins against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep/GBS), including improved bioprospecting techniques and antimicrobial activity assays. While this study is still underway, we anticipate zones of inhibition from Bacillus species against our target pathogens MRSA and GBS, with a protective effect against probiotic Lactobacillus spp. Our objective is to use these natural antimicrobial producers with activity against known pathogens to identify peptide structures which may 1) provide a more targeted approach to infections caused by single species, 2) preserve the integrity of our beneficial microbiome, and 3) provide an alternative to antibiotic use in clinical settings.Methods: Five species of Bacillus, isolated from environmental sources, were used as bacteriocin producers, as this genus has well documented bacteriocin activity. To determine their spectrum of inhibition, Bacillus spp., were tested against growth of pathogenic MRSA and GBS as well as beneficial microbes isolated from the infant probiotic, Flora. The 6-strain probiotic was serially diluted and plated onto BHI and MRS broth for isolation of representative beneficial microbes. An Alto Cerillo microplate reader was used to compare the growth in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Representative whole genome sequences, obtained from NCBI, were screened through anti-SMASH database, to gather information on homologous bacteriocin genes. Strains were routinely grown in BHI broth media and on agar plates at 37°Cfor 24-48hrs. Gram stain reactivity confirmed the purity of active cultures throughout experimentation.Results: Temporal spectrophotometric measurements at 600nm using the Alto Cerillo microplate reader showed the growth of GBS and MRSA over 24 hours. Duplicate analysis under anaerobic conditions confirmed the facultative anaerobicity of MRSA. Antimicrobial activity was confirmed using spot plate and well diffusion assays. Spot plates of the Bacillus spp. overlayed with 0.75% BHI and 0.75% MRS agar, imbedded with pathogens and probiotics, respectively, showed zones of inhibition for both MRSA and select probiotic indicator strains. Using the anti-SMASH database, homologous genes to known bacteriocins were confirmed.Conclusion: This research provides insights into microbial peptides effective against clinical pathogens that will help inform the future clinical options for management of infectious diseases. In order to curb the threat of antibiotic resistance, we must continue to expand our tools, and Bacillus spp. offer an intriguing route for exploration. Future studies will use cell free supernatants to assay purified peptides against additional pathogenic strains to demonstrate further efficacy