Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Household pests: 4-H Club manual
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
Bayesian modeling and prediction for the time-to-terminal-event with unaligned longitudinal observations in electronic health records
No full textDiabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent complication among diabetic patients and early detection of DR is crucial in order to prevent vision loss. It is important to predict patients' survival time to the event of DR based on longitudinal observations of certain biomarkers. Such long-term predictions can be used to assess the risk of developing DR in the future. Utilizing electronic health records (EHR) gathered during patients' routine clinical visits, we are able to develop survival models using longitudinal lab measurements. Though the joint modeling of failure time data and longitudinal data have been extensively studied in the literature, existing approaches rarely concern about the unaligned nature of EHR observations. The alignment of longitudinal observations in time is crucial to specify a correct model and hence can significantly impact the ultimate estimation and inference. The mishandling of alignment will cause severe bias and often incorrect results. It is more challenging when the majority of patients are censored, i.e. without a terminal event. To address the challenges that arise from EHR or other type of observational studies, we propose a joint model based on shared random processes with time-reversed longitudinal processes. There are few capable existing literature on the estimation of each individual's curve in the joint modeling, which can be essential for personalized predictions. Regarding this issue, we consider nonparametric Gaussian processes (GP) for those individual curves. This dissertation proposes a Bayesian joint model with nonparametric GP priors for curves and posterior distributions are used for statistical inference. For Bayesian computations, we derive the Gibbs sampling for posterior inference as well as a Riemann manifold Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (RMHMC) technique for sampling non-Gaussian random curves in the posterior. With the fitted model, we further propose a marginal likelihood approach for predicting a patient's time to the terminal event given their longitudinal history. Simulation studies show that our approach can provide reasonable parameter estimation and is superior than other alignment approaches. Finally, we apply our model to a real EHR dataset for estimating and predicting DR survival times
Immersive technologies: Exploring the effectiveness of immersive mobile learning in enhancing STEM subjects
No full textThis study employed a qualitative case study design to explore participants' perspective on learning STEM subjects through immersive mobile technologies. Immersive mobile learning (IML) is the learning approach that provides learners with immersive experiences and access to educational content ubiquitously using portable electronic devices. Through focus groups, observation, reflection journals, and one-on-one interviews participants' perspectives were obtained. The data analysis followed a continuous comparative approach, where data collection and analysis occurred concurrently. The data was coded, integrated into categories, leading to the emergence of themes. Findings indicated that IML had a noteworthy influence on student engagement and achievement, learning other subjects and career application, motivation to learn STEM subjects, and made STEM subjects more concrete and authentic. The perception of students was obtained from their engagement in an exploration in four sessions where they learned STEM contents in Physics and Chemistry through immersive mobile technologies Participants underscored the significance of engagement, and motivation in learning STEM subjects. This study adds significant value to existing literature on immersive learning, highlighting its significance in making learning more concrete and authentic. The results of this study carry substantial implications for future research, theoretical frameworks, and practice. These findings emphasize the importance of utilizing readily available technologies or abundant resources to enhance learning experiences. However, it is essential to recognize that this study focused specifically on IML in a particular school in Lagos Nigeria. Consequently, additional research is warranted to investigate the transformative impacts on Learning
Engaging with sports, music, and politics: popular culture and political dialogue in the secondary English classroom
No full textThis qualitative, multi-site case study examines two cases focusing on the dialogic relations of secondary English students and their teachers, as they interact with print and non-print pop culture texts related to sports and/or music as part of a curriculum unit on a politically sensitive topic. The purpose of this inquiry is to examine participants’ dialogic interactions as they engage with each other and the texts, observing what happens to the curriculum space and whether it influences the teacher's perspective. Data collection includes two interviews with each of the teacher and student participants, three observations of each case, artifacts, and researcher journal entries. Data collected from both cases is analyzed through the theoretical framework of polyphonic dialogue (Bakhtin, 1984). The analysis also interweaves autobiography as inquiry by including reflections on the researcher's own experiences using pop culture texts to introduce politically sensitive topics in the English classroom. Interpretations of the data provide insights into how students responded to the pop culture texts in writing, how they used the texts, and teacher participants’ reactions to incorporating them into their curriculum and pedagogy to discuss political topics with students. Findings suggest pop culture texts can enhance students’ creativity and critical thinking, act as participant in the emergence of multiple perspectives, and contribute to teachers’ ongoing becoming, when used to facilitate discussion of politically sensitive topics in the secondary ELA classroom. Dialogue often became polyphonic as participants were surprised by facts or ideas in the texts, leading to ongoing questioning or development of a new idea, and moments of polyphonic dialogue held space for dwelling in tensions
Evaluation of the stability and viability of various Bacillus strains as probiotics
No full textLactobacillus is the most common probiotic used in food products. The downfall of this probiotic is its susceptibility to various food matrices and storage conditions. Bacillus has been proposed as an alternative to common probiotics due to their spore-forming ability and their high tolerance to hostile environments. This research evaluated the effect of food matrix composition and process conditions on the viability, stability, and sensory attributes of four potential probiotic strains including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis 1, Bacillus subtilis 2, and Bacillus coagulans. Baked products were prepared using AACC (10-54.01 and 10-90.01) and USDA methods with probiotic powder. Various variables were explored such as water activity (0.2, 0.6, and 0.8), fat content (20%, 40%, and 80%), salt content (5%, 8%, and 11%), baking time (7, 10, and 12 minutes), baking temperature (350oF, 400oF, and 450oF), storage temperature (25oC, 4oC, and -18oC), storage humidity (room temperature, 45%, and 75%), and sensory acceptability. After baking, enumeration processes were followed based on the providing company’s enumeration protocol. All experiments were performed in three independent replications. It was found that B. subtilis strains had the highest resistance in all food matrices and storage conditions (average 3 log reductions) of this spore. The high stability observed by the B. subtilis strains during processing provides valuable information to food and probiotic producers to create functional foods with promised health benefits. Food manufacturers can utilize these probiotics in bakery products and identify which probiotic strain to use based on the food process they will apply
Quantification of losses from borehole thermal energy storage through distributed temperature sensing and numerical modelling
No full textBorehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) is a successful technology for storing and supplying heat and cooling for buildings and industry. The losses from the storage can be drastically reduced by changes in design and operation. According to Fourier’s law of conduction, heat losses are proportional to the thermal gradient. The thermal gradient in five boreholes within a BTES in southern Norway, constructed in granite, was measured using Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS). The measurements show that the downwards losses are linearly proportional to the temperature level in the BTES as expected, but also that the linear relationship shifts towards lower losses for the same temperature level as the ground is heated. After a half year of operation, the losses are approximately 50% lower than those in the first heating season, which had measured temperatures of about 35°C.
Modeling of the BTES shows that the conductive losses can be reduced if as much heat as possible is injected in the center versus if even heat injection is used. The outwards losses cannot be directly estimated from DTS results unless the BTES has been unused for at least 12 hours, due to the close relationship between borehole temperature and recent heat injection
Control of household insects
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
Generating dyslexia-friendly text using neural language models: Development and evaluation of an automated simplification system
Get PDFDyslexia, a neurodevelopment disorder affecting reading and language processing, presents significant challenges in academic and professional settings. This dissertation introduces an innovative approach to generating dyslexia-friendly text using advanced natural language processing techniques. The research develops and evaluates an automated system that transforms standard text into more accessible formats for individuals with dyslexia, aiming to improve reading comprehension, speed, and overall accessibility of written materials.The methodology combines state-of-the-art language models (GPT and T5) with specialized techniques addressing dyslexia-specific challenges. A novel dataset of dyslexia-friendly text modifications was created through crowdsourcing and validated by dyslexic college students. The language models were fine-tuned on this dataset and enhanced with syllable and morphological analysis to simplify complex word structures. Two specialized dictionaries were developed: one for complex word substitution and another addressing visual confusion and phonological complexity issues common in dyslexia.A two-phase experiment with 14 dyslexic undergraduate students evaluated the system's effectiveness. Participants read original and modified versions of passages from GRE exam materials and a psychology textbook. Reading time, comprehension, and perceived difficulty were assessed using quantitative measures and qualitative feedback. The study also examined the impact of visual presentation factors such as background color, text alignment, and line spacing.Results showed improvements in reading time for modified texts, particularly after refinements based on initial findings. Readability ratings and comprehension scores yielded mixed results, while participants generally preferred the visual modifications in dyslexia-friendly versions. The study revealed individual variations in preferences and effectiveness of modifications, underscoring the need for personalized approaches.
This research contributes to accessible communication by demonstrating the potential of automated systems in generating dyslexia-friendly text. The findings have implications for educational practices, digital content creation, and assistive technology development, paving the way for more inclusive written communication
Color in home decorating
Get PDFThe 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
Inorganic fertilizers and the vital role of phosphorus and potassium in native prairie restoration
No full textPhosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are macronutrients required to sustain plant growth and reproduction. They are commonly applied as inorganic fertilizer by farmers across the world for their crops but these nutrients are also important for the development and sustainment of native grassland systems. Much of the Great Plains region has either been used as farmland or grazing land. These practices can disturb natural nutrient cycling by removing nutrients without adequate replacement. Current literature regarding nitrogen (N) application in prairies has largely focused on production of biomass and its relation to carbon (C) cycling, but little research exists regarding the application of P and K in prairie systems. This study evaluates effects of inorganic fertility application on soil and plant communities in the southern great plains region. This experiment was placed on disturbed prairie soils in central Oklahoma. N, P, and K were added as urea, 0-46-0, and 0-0-60 at 67 lbs/ac, 57 lbs/ac, and 57 lbs/ac respectively. Soil sample analysis included macronutrients, micronutrients, texture, pH, and EC. Forage sample analysis looked at nutrient uptake and total N and total C. Currently, ample literature is available for nitrogen application on native grasslands but response to P and K is unclear. This study looks to better understand native prairie responses to immobile nutrients and assist in native prairie restoration in the future. Results showed that there was a significance to the dry matter yield when N, P, and K, and P, K as treatments to the prairie system but there was no significant increase in nitrogen uptake for any of the treatments. Those who are interested in doing prairie restoration can use the results of this research to increase the biomass of their land and help repair the cycle of lost nutrients