Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Empowering the next generation: Enhancing undergraduate public health education at a land-grant university
No full textAs the global burden of disease continues to rise and the complexity of public health challenges grows, there is a clear and pressing need for higher education institutions to strengthen their role in preparing the next generation of public health leaders and professionals. As a student deeply embedded in the evolving landscape of undergraduate public health education, I have witnessed the immense value and unrealized potential of programs like the one at Oklahoma State University. Undergraduate public health programs serve as a critical entry point into the field. 4,5 However, many universities struggle with program visibility, student recruitment, and retention—factors that hinder long-term growth and sustainability.2,8 Despite the growing national demand for public health professionals and the increasing relevance of public health in modern society, OSU’s undergraduate Public Health program faces ongoing challenges in student recruitment, retention, and expansion.2,3This thesis presents a student-informed, targeted strategy through the lens of OSU’s Public Health Program. Drawing from lived academic experience, peer insight, and a critical review of nationally recognized programs, this work offers practical, student-centered solutions—ranging from revamped introductory coursework and enhanced mentorship opportunities to low-cost marketing efforts and implementing a student ambassador program. These initiatives aim not only to increase enrollment and retention but also to reaffirm OSU’s land-grant mission by investing in a program that has the power to shape future leaders in health equity, policy, and prevention. By aligning program goals with student needs and institutional strengths, this thesis seeks to support the long-term vitality of public health education pathways at Oklahoma State University and reinforce the university’s mission through community health, leadership, and service
Mediations of parenting practices between parental ACEs and child emotion regulation
No full textThe intergenerational impact of trauma, particularly adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), has been widely studied in relation to developmental outcomes. Still, the mechanisms by which parental ACEs may influence their children's emotion regulation remain understudied. This study examined whether specific parenting practices—sensitivity and warmth, cognitive stimulation, and intrusiveness—mediate the relationship between parental ACEs and child emotion regulation. A sample of 41 racially and socioeconomically diverse parents of preschool-aged children (ages 3–5) was used. Parents self-reported their ACEs, parenting behaviors, and their child’s emotion regulation using validated measures. A 4-step multiple regression approach was used to test the mediation using each parenting dimension as the mediator. Results revealed that higher parental ACEs significantly predicted poorer child emotion regulation. However, none of the parenting dimensions significantly mediated this relationship. Furthermore, ACEs were not significantly correlated with any individual parenting practice, a key requirement for mediation.
The anticipated mediating role of parenting behaviors was not supported in this sample. The results may reflect limitations in sample size and the reliance on self-report data, which can introduce bias and inaccuracies in the assessment of parenting and child behavior. Nonetheless, the study reinforces the importance of addressing parental trauma in early intervention and highlights the need for further research to identify protective factors that can disrupt the cycle of intergenerational adversity
Learning uncertainty in state estimation with applications for robotic systems
No full textState estimation is crucial for accurate operations of robotic systems. Traditional state estimation methods often assume fixed noise models, which can lead to suboptimal performance when the system dynamics or the environment introduces varying levels of uncertainty. This thesis proposes novel approaches to learning uncertainty in state estimation, focusing on dynamic uncertainty that evolves with the system’s state. By incorporating variational inference methods, we present estimation frameworks capable of adapting the uncertainty model based on real-time data, ensuring more accurate and reliable state estimates.
The proposed approaches are evaluated through several applications in robotic systems, including wind estimation by small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAVs), where inaccuracies in the drag force modeling introduce significant uncertainty in the system. We introduce three novel Variational Wishart Process (VWP) algorithms to learn state-dependent uncertainties and leverage these VWP algorithms to develop a novel Variational Bayesian Adaptive Kalman Filter (VB-AKF) that jointly estimates system states and their associated uncertainties, including state-dependent covariances. Results from both simulated and experimental datasets demonstrate strong performance of the proposed algorithms and show that incorporating dynamic uncertainty improves state estimation accuracy and yields reliable confidence bounds
Partial reconstitution of the prophenoloxidase activation system of Anopheles gambiae and maturation of Manduca sexta moricin-6 by dipeptidyl peptidase IVs
No full textInsects rely on innate immune mechanisms to defend against pathogens, including melanization, antimicrobial peptides, and peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs). Melanization, a key immune response to wounding and microbial invasion, is regulated by serine protease cascades. In Anopheles gambiae, we selectively expressed SP217, four CLIPCs, and twelve CLIPBs, and reconstructed a branched five-step cascade with purified zymogens. SP217, orthologous to Drosophila ModSP, initiates the cascade by activating proCLIPC1, which in turn activates CLIPBs leading to prophenoloxidase (proPO) activation. CLIPB9 and CLIPB10 function as proPO-activating proteases (PAPs), generating highly active PO2 in the presence of a cofactor. This work reveals the organization of the mosquito serine protease system and highlights both evolutionary conservation and species-specific features.
We further investigated dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) in Manduca sexta, which cleaves Xaa-Pro dipeptides from the N-terminus of peptides. Two isoforms, DPP4A and DPP4B, were cloned, and their expression was upregulated in fat body after bacterial challenge, suggesting an immune role. Recombinant proteins were purified and characterized, revealing that DPP4B exhibits higher catalytic activity than DPP4A. Functional assays showed that both enzymes cleave the N-terminal APEP motif from pro-moricin-6, a precursor of antimicrobial peptides, enhancing its antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus megaterium, and fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium proliferatum. The N-terminal Xaa-Pro motifs in precursors may attenuate peptide activity, which DPP4s remove to unleash full antimicrobial function.
Finally, we examined the function of soluble PGRPs in M. sexta hemolymph. The PGRPs preferentially recognized meso-diaminopimelic acid-peptidoglycans (DAP-PGs) and synergistically enhanced proPO activation in the presence of bacterial components. Amidase activity of PGRP2 and PGRP4 was confirmed and shown to be Zn²⁺-dependent. PGRP4 alone reduced B. megaterium colony-forming units (CFUs), whereas combinations of PGRP1–5 or 3s with lysozyme significantly enhanced bacterial killing. The synergistic effect of PGRP2 with lysozyme was further supported by electron microscopy, which revealed amplified bacterial cell wall damage. These results indicate that PGRPs contribute to both melanization and bactericidal activity through amidase-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Overall, this study elucidates multiple layers of insect immune defense, revealing mechanisms by which serine proteases, DPP4s, and PGRPs coordinate to detect, process, and neutralize microbial threats
Exploring multilingual international doctoral students' experience of using generative artificial intelligence for academic writing
No full textUniversities in the United States have been a popular choice for many international doctoral students worldwide. They make up a significant share of graduate program enrollment in U.S. higher education. Many international doctoral students in the United States are multilingual and use English as a second or additional language for academic writing, which can make it difficult for them to keep up with their native English-speaking peers and thrive in doctoral programs. Meanwhile, generative AI (GenAI) technology has been attracting attention for its intellectual capabilities and is being applied by people across professional fields. Researchers have recognized its potential to support students in higher education. GenAI, powered by large language models, is designed to generate human-like text in response to user goals. Given the linguistic challenges multilingual international doctoral students face, incorporating GenAI into the writing process represents a practical and promising way to support their academic writing and enhance success in doctoral programs. This qualitative multiple case study explores how multilingual international doctoral students (MIDS) use GenAI to support academic writing in a U.S. doctoral context. Guided by writing process theory, it draws on the four participants’ experiences to examine how GenAI interacts with multilingual writing practices to assist academic writing, as well as the ethical concerns that accompany GenAI's involvement in academic writing. The study offers insights into how MIDS integrate GenAI into their writing processes in academia and how such practices inform their ethical and policy considerations
Effective use of quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry in forensic toxicological testing regimes
No full textHigh-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has emerged as a transformative technology in forensic toxicology, enabling comprehensive drug screening through sensitivity and adaptability. Despite its potential, the lack of standardized protocols for compound identification, validation and data management limits its integration into routine workflows, particularly as laboratories strive to meet evolving regulatory standards. This study aims to address these challenges by developing, validating and implementing a rapid and comprehensive quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS) method using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra (SWATH) for routine workflows in the detection and direct reporting of over 900 compounds in blood and urine samples. The context of this dissertation will include the following publications: (1) The use of sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra (SWATH), a data-independent acquisition high-resolution mass spectrometry approach, in forensic toxicological regimes: A review; (2) A Validated Screening and Confirmation Method for 946 Drugs and Metabolites Using LC-QTOF-MS with SWATH Acquisition; (3) Characterization, Optimization and Selection of Identification Criteria for LC-QTOF-MS; (4) Method Design and Automation of a Forensic Toxicology LC-QTOF-MS Technique to Meet High-Throughput Routine Applications; and (5) Workflow and Application of LC-QTOF-MS in Routine Forensic Casework. Together, these efforts establish a comprehensive framework for the integration of LC-QTOF-MS into routine forensic toxicology. The outcomes not only demonstrate the method’s analytical rigor and legal defensibility but also provide a foundation for future advancements in high-resolution mass spectrometry applications
Effects of silver and potassium iodide on honey bee (Apis mellifera) learning
No full textSince 1946, cloud seeding has been employed to manage and modify the amount of rain and snowfall in a particular area. However, there have been very few experiments investigating the effects of the silver and potassium compounds used in cloud seeding (e.g. silver and potassium iodide) on animals, particularly in relation to learning. This dissertation aimed to determine whether two chemicals used in cloud seeding affect honey bee learning through a series of experiments. Before each experiment, a set of bees consumed a solution containing either 0.02 mg KI, 0.002 mg KI, 0.015 mg Agl, or 0.00015 mg Agl. Another set of bees served as a control, receiving either 50% sucrose by volume solution or no solution. The first experiment utilized a shuttle box to test whether honey bees can avoid shock in a punishment experiment and found a negative effect on bees’ ability to avoid punishment at all chemical dosing except the low dose of Agl. The second set of experiments employed the proboscis extension response (PER) and found that bees were hindered in both the paired and discrimination paradigms. The final experiment examined reward discrimination in the flower patch paradigm and did not show a behavioral learning deficit but did reveal increased return times. These experiments contribute to the ongoing debate concerning the effects of cloud seeding
Experimental validation of terahertz pointing error and jitter effects
No full textExisting analytical models for the statistical distribution of misalignment under mechanical vibration (jitter) are experimentally tested in a real word THz communication system. The measurements presented here are the first real-world study of this effect, implemented over a realistic building-to-building backhaul distance of several hundred meters. The results exhibit unexpected behavior that is not accounted for or matched by the existing analytical models. An explanation for this difference is proposed, a new method of modeling is demonstrated, and the impact on several key performance metrics is explored. These results compel the refinement of THz channel models and performance metrics in the presence of vibration, and demonstrate the need for multidisciplinary mechanical, control systems, and communication engineering in the deployment of THz backhaul links
Authorizing students’ lived experiences: Critical service-learning in a rural-serving regional university
No full textWhile a growing body of research on service-learning stretches back to the late 1990s, very little is focused on rural, four-year university settings. This study seeks to improve student learning of sociological concepts, develop authentic community relationships, and integrate a critical service-learning component that contributes to scholarship related to rural-serving critical service-learning. Specifically, this study investigates ways an undergraduate sociology faculty member at a rural-serving, regional university can integrate critical service-learning practices to enhance the instructor’s pedagogical approach, develop a student's critical consciousness, and create more authentic connections with the community. The study is guided by the following research questions: How do I, as an undergraduate sociology faculty member at a rural-serving, regional university in the Midwest, integrate critical service-learning components to best support students’ development of critical consciousness? How do the forms of class interactions and activities support the development of students' critical consciousness? How do students feel empowered and demonstrate a commitment to working toward social change by the end of the course, if at all? Pedagogical research served as the approach to study the effectiveness of implementing critical service-learning components to improve my students' critical thinking and develop greater critical consciousness. The selected approach allowed me to evaluate and reflect upon the effectiveness of my teaching during the integration of a critical pedagogical approach in the classroom. Grounded in principles of practitioner inquiry, this approach positions the educator as both researcher and learner, using systematic reflection and evidence from classroom practice to inform instructional improvement. By situating the research within a critical framework, the study not only examines student outcomes but also interrogates how teaching practices can challenge inequities and promote transformative learning
Analysis of heart rate responses and physiological stress during law enforcement training
No full textHeart rate and heart rate variability have been used to assess the physiological stress experienced by law enforcement officers during occupational tasks. Law enforcement officers who carry a firearm on duty must complete and pass a firearms training course and qualification with that weapon prior to carrying while on-duty. Previous research has shown that higher resting heart rates in law enforcement officers were associated with increased risk of violent altercations with suspects, which subsequently increased the likelihood of officer-involved shooting incidents. The purpose of this dissertation was to analyze the heart rate responses and physiological stress (via heart rate variability) of law enforcement officers during firearm qualifications and an active shooter training course. Major findings of this dissertation include: Heart rate variability was significantly reduced during firearm qualifications with both types of weapons, and throughout the duration of the active shooter training class. Significant differences were observed for average and maximum heart rate, and heart rate variability between the two types of firearms. Law enforcement officers in this dissertation achieved heart rates that equated to approximately 55-70% of maximal aerobic capacity during firearm qualifications, and up to 80% of maximal aerobic capacity during the active shooter training course, corresponding with moderate to vigorous work efforts. Heart rates during the active shooter training ranged from 71 to 108% of age-predicted maximum values, with group averages equating to approximately 86-93% of maximum heart rates. Comparatively, heart rates during firearm qualifications peaked at approximately 72 and 79% of age-predicted maximums for the pistol and rifle, respectively. Overall, this dissertation observed a difference in heart rate responses of law enforcement officers between pistol and rifle handling, and between qualification and situational/scenario trainings. Further research is needed to assess the influence of balance, stability, and recovery techniques like box or tactical breathing on marksmanship skills in law enforcement officers. Additional research is also recommended to assess the difference in physiological stress between training courses and on-duty events involving firearm discharge. Finally, incorporating additional subjective (i.e., questionnaires) and objective (i.e., salivary alpha-amylase or electroencephalography) measures of psychological stress would enhance law enforcement marksmanship training