Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
Not a member yet
42035 research outputs found
Sort by
Effect of timing of prenatal stress on social behavior and immune phenotype of piglets
No full textPrenatal stress has been shown to have a considerable impact on the postnatal period in piglets, primarily attributed to high maternal and fetal cortisol levels at the maternal-fetal interface, which can cross the placental barrier, exposing the fetus to very high levels (Merlot et al., 2013). The impact of stress on the progeny varies depending on the time of its occurrence during gestation, as different developmental processes, such as the brain and immune system, unfold at distinct gestational stages. Stress experienced during mid-gestation is more likely to influence the development of the immune system, given that the differentiation of immunoglobulin-secreting cells and T-cells begins in the second trimester (mid-gestation). Consequently, maternal stress during these critical or vulnerable periods can adversely affect the immune phenotype and social behavior of the progeny, considering the interconnection between immune and behavioral traits (Mafoz, 2020). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of prenatal stress during mid-gestation on the social behavior and immune phenotype of piglets born to stressed sows. This research is important as it can help improve the health and well-being of swine while serving as a valuable model for examining prenatal influences on human conditions due to the similarities in brain structure and development. Eleven Yorkshire × Landrace crossbred gilts were artificially inseminated using semen from a single Landrace boar. They were randomly assigned to receive either hydrocortisone acetate (HCA), a synthetic glucocorticoid, or a placebo capsule during mid-gestation (days 51–72). On gestational day 110 (before farrowing), all gilts were moved to individual farrowing stalls, remaining through a 21-day lactation period. Blood samples were collected from piglets born to these primiparous sows at 7, 14, and 21 days of age, and plasma cortisol, cytokines, stress biomarkers, and immunoglobulin concentrations were analyzed. Behavioral observations were conducted 24 hours after blood sampling at 7, 14, and 21 days of age and registered at 2-hour intervals across four defined periods. However, only data collected at 7 days of age will be presented. Frequencies and durations of social behaviors were registered and analyzed along with physiological biomarkers to determine the impact of prenatal stress during mid-gestation on the offspring. These data imply that piglets born to sows exposed to mid-gestational prenatal stress exhibited more negative social interactions, heightened activity, and immunoenhancing and immunosuppressive effects than the controls
Validation of a binomial sequential sampling plan for the horn fly in pasture cattle
No full textThe horn fly is an extensive economic pest to cattle. Direct economic effects of high infestations have warranted the development of sampling procedures to incorporate better management practices among cattle producers. There is little research on determining a sampling plan for the horn fly based on the economic threshold (ET). A binomial sequential sampling (BSS) plan offers an efficient method for the classification of pest density and its infestation level above or below the ET. This sampling plan follows sequential analysis and integrating a binomial component will increase the speed of sampling by classifying fly density as presence (above threshold) or absence (below threshold). The objective of this study is to develop a binomial sequential sampling plan for horn flies based on cattle hide color and to determine reproductive losses at different horn fly infestation levels. Preliminary analysis of horn fly counts on cattle were categorized based on hide coloration of black hide and combined. Taylor’s Power Law (TPL) was calculated for horn fly dispersion patterns. For all groups, b values were greater than one (black hide b = 1.97, combined b = 1.81), corresponding to high aggregation of horn flies on cattle. Next, tally thresholds were developed, and it was determined a tally threshold of 350 horn flies/animal for black hide (R2 = 0.93) and the combined model (R2 = 0.92) are the best choice for determining fly density. After fitness and practicality of the model was examined, Wald’s sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) was used to develop upper and lower stop lines for sampling plans. Examination of reproductive performance in rangeland cattle found no significant effect of fly infestation level on calving periods and most reproductive variables tested. Preliminary findings of this study provide a dynamic sampling plan for H. irritans on cattle in pasture settings and implementation of this plan can significantly enhance pest management strategies against the horn fly, however, this study suggest horn fly infestations did not significantly impact most reproductive parameters evaluated in rangeland cattle
Art of climate communication
No full textThis thesis examines the intersection of climate communication, art-science collaboration, and eco-anxiety. I explore my perspective as a scholar (literature review), audience member (artist review), and creator (artist). Each angle provides insight into how visual art bridges gaps between complex climate knowledge, public engagement, and the psychological impacts of that knowledge.
From a scholarly perspective, I show how the literature navigates interdisciplinary collaborations through visual, narrative, and participatory strategies. These various frameworks confirm that art can be used as a transformative medium for climate communication, the processing of eco-anxiety, and public engagement with accessible outcomes and climate data
Supplementation of stocker calves grazing native prairie pastures in western Oklahoma: Effects on grazing performance, supplemental efficiency and subsequent feedlot performance and carcass characteristics
No full textExperiment 1 tested the effects of supplementing extruded DDGS cubes and increased stocking rates on intensification of stocker production. This trial was conducted at the Marvin Klemme Range Research Station, (Klemme) and the USDA-ARS Southern Plains Experimental Range (SPER). Supplementation treatments at Klemme were 1) Positive Control (PC) – 1.13 kg/d only during the late summer, 2.4 ha/steer and 2) High Supplement (HS) – 0.75% BW the entire grazing season, 33% increase in stocking; at SPER, 1) Negative Control (NC) – No supplement, 2.0 ha/steer, 2) PC- 0.91 kg/d only during late summer, 2.0 ha/steer, and 3) HS - 0.75% BW the entire grazing season, 33% increase in stocking. Early and overall ADG for HS were greatest (P ˂ 0.001), however with late-season supplementation ADG for PC and HS did not differ (P ≥ 0.47). Increased stocking and season-long supplementation increased (P ≤ 0.001) BW gain/ha. Experiment 2 tested the effects of increased supplementation rate on animal performance and supplemental efficiency. At Klemme steers were supplemented at 0, 0.91, and 1.81 kg/animal/d, at SPER 0, 0.91, 1.81, and 2.72 kg/animal/d. Increased supplementation increased ADG and BW gain/ha (P ≤ 0.05). At SPER, increased supplementation reduced supplemental efficiency quadratically (P ≤ 0.01). Experiment 3 tested the effects of pre-finishing plane of nutrition on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Klemme steers from yr 2 of Experiment 1 and all from Experiment 2 were used in Experiment 3. Initial BW entering the feedlot was greater (P ≤ 0.01) for steers on higher supplementation rates. Finishing performance for HS steers from Experiment 1 had a greater AFSBW and reduced DOF, total feed required, and feed cost (P ≤ 0.04). Increased supplementation rate for Klemme steers from Experiment 2, decreased early ADG and feed efficiency linearly while individual DMI increased linearly (P ≤ 0.03). Steers from SPER saw a linear and cubic reduction in early and late finishing ADG (P ≤ 0.01). Carcass traits were generally not influenced (P ≥ 0.08)
White women’s learning: Raising consciousness through anti-racist work
No full textThis dissertation explored how white women engaged in anti-racist work with a focus on the transformative processes through which they developed critical consciousness about race, privilege, and white supremacy. Beginning in 2022 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the subsequent global racial uprising, this feminist, anti-racist auto-ethnographic study examined the experiences of white women who responded to these events by reengaging or deepening their commitment to anti-racism. This research analyzed the emotional, intellectual, and social dimensions of white women’s anti-racist learning, exploring how discomfort, cognitive dissonance, and collective action served as catalysts for transformation.
Using qualitative methods, including interviews, personal reflections, and thematic analysis, the study identified three principal pathways of engagement: participation in anti-racist communities such as book clubs and workshops, self-guided learning, and direct action through activism and advocacy. Emotional processing emerged as a central component of the women’s journeys. The women navigated and processed feelings of guilt, fear, and shame to cultivate a critical awareness of their complicity in systems of oppression.
The findings revealed that community and relational networks were vital for sustaining anti-racist efforts, providing spaces for processing emotions, critical reflection, dialogue, accountability, and solidarity. The study highlights the influences of life stage, geography, and personal circumstances that influenced the ebb and flow of the women’s work, emphasizing the non-linear and dynamic nature of their anti-racist praxis. The research contributes to critical whiteness studies (CWS) by advancing an intersectional understanding of whiteness that accounts for its interaction with gender, class, and daily lived experiences.
This dissertation argued that white women’s anti-racist work required embracing discomfort as an integral part of growth and transformation. By fostering spaces for collective learning and emotional resilience, this research underscores the importance of sustained engagement as a means for dismantling white supremacy. These findings offered practical implications for educators, activists, and policymakers seeking to cultivate critical consciousness and promote social justice in an era of intensified racial inequity
Ecological intensity of food security: A cross-national study of sustainability
No full textThis dissertation explores the intersection of ecological resource consumption, economic development, inequality, and food security—an underrepresented aspect in sustainability literature, given the significant environmental impact of food production and the global prevalence of food insecurity. Chapter 4 analyzes the ecological footprint per capita as a predictor of food security across developed countries (DCs), least developed countries (LDCs), and a global sample. The results reveal a non-linear, inverted U-shaped relationship, where moderate ecological consumption is linked to optimal food security, while further consumption diminishes food security gains. A decoupling effect observed since 2014 suggests that ecological footprint's influence on food security has weakened in both DCs and LDCs. Chapter 5 introduces the ecological intensity of food security (EIFS), calculated as the ecological footprint divided by food security rate, which highlights the ecological cost of food security. Using pooled OLS regression with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, the analysis tests for an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in the relationship between GDP per capita and EIFS. Contrary to the EKC’s predicted inverted U-shape, findings indicate a U-shaped relationship in developing countries and the full sample, with an N-shaped pattern in developed countries. Economic growth initially raises, then lowers, and finally raises EIFS at higher income levels. Chapter 6 examines the effect of income inequality, measured by the income share of the top 10%, on EIFS. Findings suggest that higher income concentration is associated with higher EIFS across all countries, indicating that reducing inequality could support food security and sustainable resource use. Overall, this dissertation’s findings underscore the need for equitable and ecologically conscious policy approaches to enhance sustainable food security across diverse development contexts. This dissertation finds that moderate ecological resource use optimizes food security without compromising sustainability and that balanced economic growth, rather than unrestrained expansion, supports these goals. Addressing income inequality is important, as equitable resource distribution improves both ecological and food security outcomes. Future research should extend these findings across longer timelines and explore successful policies from top-performing nations to guide sustainable development strategies globally
Evaluation of N source and timings in no-till winter wheat
No full textNitrogen fertilizer efficacy is largely dependent upon the application timing and surroundings in which they are placed. Therefore, the variability in Oklahoma’s environmental and meteorological conditions can present a distinctive challenge for the state's agricultural producers looking to apply nitrogen fertilizers in their no-till production systems. This study examines the effects of nitrogen source and application timing on winter wheat grain yield and protein content in no-till systems. Over 11 site-years, four N fertilizers—urea, urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN), SuperU, and UAN + Anvol—were applied at a rate of 66 kg ha⁻¹ across three physiological timings. Due to significant variability between growing seasons, Dunnett’s analysis was used to assess the impact of nitrogen source and timing on grain yield and protein percentage for each growing season. Urea consistently outperformed other N sources in terms of grain yield and protein concentration. Across site years and stages, no significant benefit was observed for the addition of nitrogen stabilizers. Feekes stages correlated with a late February/early March application period maximized grain yield, while later applications resulted in higher protein content. These findings suggest that late February/early March urea applications can optimize yields for Oklahoma winter wheat producers
Secondary teacher perceptions of and approaches to community in self-directed online learning
No full textOnline learning options are expanding, and teachers must employ unique skills and strategies to support student engagement and success (Heinrich et al., 2019; Preisman, 2014; Schrum & Hong, 2019). Emerging research suggests the development of community is essential to successful online teaching and learning (Akyol & Garrison, 2019; Boston et al., 2019; Glazier, 2016). However, some educators are successful in fostering community in online learning environments (Schrum & Hong, 2019; Zhang & Lin, 2021) while others are not (Lloyd et al., 2012; Pitts et al., 2022). Understanding and improving community in online learning could benefit students and staff through improved retention, learning, engagement, course scores, and skill development (Akyol & Garrison, 2019; Boston et al., 2019; Kang & Im, 2013; Rockinson-Szapkiw et al., 2016). This qualitative case study explores how secondary teachers in the self-directed online learning program of a suburban public school perceived and facilitated community in their online courses. The study employs Garrison et al.’s (2000) Community of Inquiry framework for analyzing teacher perceptions of and efforts to facilitate online learning community through the lens of the framework’s teaching, social, and cognitive presence. Data were collected from interviews, observations, and the collection of documents and artifacts. Data analysis was holistic, inductive, and applied a constant comparative approach. The findings suggest the alignment of teacher efforts to social, cognitive, and teaching presence in the study setting supports Garrison et al.’s (2000) Community of Inquiry framework’s applicability as a lens for teacher training and program evaluation at the secondary level. The findings also indicate a need for targeted professional development, not only to navigate the Learning Management System, but to cultivate online learning community through intentional efforts grounded in online pedagogy. This study contributes to a practical and contextual understanding of the successes and challenges of facilitating meaningful online learning community at the secondary level, offering implications for research, theory, and practice. This research offers insight for teacher preparatory programs, administrators, and district-level efforts to support secondary online teachers and enhance online learning in this setting
Natural alternatives to in-feed antibiotics: Screening compounds to combat necrotic enteritis
No full textTo combat the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance, the U.S. has restricted the use of in-feed antibiotics in poultry production since 2017. This has resulted in diseases such as necrotic enteritis (NE), which is caused by Clostridium perfringens, to become more widespread, necessitating more effective mitigation strategies. This study aimed to investigate the potential of using natural products as a preventative for NE. Thirteen natural compounds were selected from a previous screening for further evaluation for their antimicrobial activity. Several antibacterial tests such as agar well diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration and time-kill assays were performed to evaluate the relative potency of these compounds. Further, to evaluate the impact on host immunity, the effect of selected compounds on regulating host defense peptide (HDP) gene expression was investigated in vitro. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of ursolic acid and celastrol to prevent NE through inhibition of C. perfringens and stimulation of host immunity