Open Research Oklahoma
ORO serves as the home for Oklahoma State University's open-access intellectual output. It includes digital dissertations, faculty publications, OSU Extension publications, undergraduate research, open educational resources, and more. Email openresearch@okstate.edu to see how your Oklahoma-based institution can join.
Recent Submissions
Publication Optimizing plant biodiversity monitoring through environmental DNA(Oklahoma State University, 2025-04-22)Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is an emerging tool for plant biodiversity monitoring, offering a non-invasive and scalable alternative to traditional field surveys. By amplifying and sequencing trace genetic material from environmental samples, eDNA enables detection of multiple taxa with minimal disturbance. Despite its widespread application in animal and microbial monitoring, plant-focused eDNA studies remain underdeveloped, comprising only a small fraction of total eDNA research. Given the foundational role of plants in ecosystem function, improving methods for plant biodiversity monitoring is imperative. In particular, freshwater plant communities are undergoing significant biodiversity loss, and effective monitoring is critical for detecting changes and informing conservation strategies. Yet, standardized sampling designs are lacking, which risks introducing bias or inconsistency into biodiversity assessments. To fully realize the potential of eDNA for plant ecology, optimized and reliable field practices are essential. This study evaluates how vertical sampling position (surface vs. benthic) affects eDNA-based plant diversity estimates in freshwater lakes. We analyzed 950 water samples collected from 22 lakes across Michigan, using surface (Smith-Root backpack samplers) and benthic (Van Dorn samplers) collection methods. DNA was extracted and amplified using primers targeting the plastid gene region rbcL, a widely used barcode for vascular plants. Species richness and Shannon diversity were calculated for aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial plant groups, and compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Our results revealed no consistent differences in alpha diversity between surface and benthic samples across most lakes and plant groups. These findings suggest that single-depth sampling may often suffice for estimating local plant diversity, offering opportunities to streamline field protocols and reduce sampling effort. By identifying conditions under which simplified sampling strategies yield comparable results, this study contributes to the scalability and cost-efficiency of plant eDNA monitoring programs. Future work should examine how depth influences beta diversity and community composition, and consider other spatial factors, such as distance from shore, that may differentially affect the detectability of aquatic versus terrestrial taxa. As environmental pressures intensify, flexible and robust tools like eDNAPublication Tailored preventative care recommendations using electronic health records(Oklahoma State University, 2025-04-22)According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of the nation’s $3.3 trillion annual healthcare expenditures are attributed to individuals with chronic and mental health conditions. Thus, preventing diseases is essential to improving public health and managing escalating healthcare costs. However, the preventive care clinical decision support (CDS) modules in most electronic health record (EHR) systems primarily rely on basic criteria such as age, gender, and screening intervals. This “one-size-fits-all” approach fails to provide personalized recommendations that consider patient-specific risk factors, such as family history, social history, ethnicity, and chronic conditions. This research develops an information system that analyze patient-specific data against the information extracted from preventive care guidelines to generate tailored recommendations along with justifications grounded in both the EHR data and preventive care guidelines. Our system empowers patients by providing personalized insights into their potential health risks before issues arise. By analyzing factors such as family history, social background, ethnicity, chronic conditions, age, gender, and past medical history, it delivers tailored recommendations based on established guidelines. With this information, individuals can take a proactive approach to their health, engaging in informed discussions with their physicians to explore preventive measures. By promoting early intervention and personalized care, this system has the potential to reduce the burden of preventable diseases and improve long-term health outcomes.Publication Architectural visualization advanced drawing techniques and rendering in Revit(Oklahoma State University, 2025-04-22)Effective architectural communication relies on translating complex design concepts into clear and compelling visual representations. Revit, a Building Information Modeling tool, is a widely used digital software in the architecture profession. It offers powerful tools for enhancing this process by integrating 3D modeling, technical documentation, and visualization within a single platform. This research explores the utilization of Revit to develop high-quality visualizations and detailed illustrative drawings for architectural design projects. The study specifically focuses on an equine facility’s design, visualization, and advanced documentation, demonstrating how Revit’s capabilities enhance the visualization and communication of complex design elements. Unlike traditional 2D drafting, Revit enables real-time design iteration, data-driven decision-making, and the generation of high-quality illustrative drawings that support both conceptual development and construction documentation. The study examines the unique capacity to use Revit to enhance the visualization and communication of architectural design, focusing on the development of an equine facility as a case study. Specifically, the study examines how Revit facilitates the modeling and documentation of equine-specific architectural elements such as structure, space, scale, and function. By refining these visualization techniques, designers can improve project presentations, facilitate client communication, and enhance decision-making in the agricultural architecture sector. Additionally, this research highlights best practices for maximizing Revit’s modeling and visualization tools to create realistic and informative architectural drawings and graphics that support design intent and strong design communication. This research takes a theoretical approach to architectural visualization, situating Revit within the broader evolution of design communication. By analyzing the role of digital tools in bridging conceptual and technical aspects of design, this study provides valuable insights for architects, students, and professionals seeking to refine their workflows. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how digital visualization tools like Revit can maximize modeling and documentation tools, elevate the design and presentation of equine facilities, and ultimately enhance architectural communication to stakeholders within the agricultural and equine industries.Publication Carbohydrate metabolism in the Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii) during acute stress(Oklahoma State University, 2025-04-22)Whether glucocorticoid-responsive gluconeogenesis is an ancestral or later-derived feature of vertebrates is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate carbohydrate metabolism of the liver in response to generalized stress in Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii). Pacific hagfish were exposed to an acute (30 min) bout of generalized stress and sampled for blood and liver at different time points during recovery (30 min, 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h). Within 6 h post-stress, blood glucose levels increased from 1.4 ± 0.1 mM to 3.3 ± 0.3 mM. Likewise, blood lactate levels increased from 3.1 ± 0.4 mM to 5.5 ± 1.3 mM. The transcriptional regulation of genes which participate in carbohydrate metabolism in the liver were examined. These findings suggest that carbohydrate metabolism is responsive to stress in hagfish, and further examination of the metabolism of the liver may shed light on the biochemical pathways involved in these responses. Our understanding of the metabolic physiology in this ancient lineage of vertebrates can contribute to our fundamental understanding of how vertebrate processes of carbohydrate handling evolved.Publication Capturing barriers to accessing free food resources for international students at Oklahoma State University: A photovoice study(Oklahoma State University, 2025-04-22)Food insecurity among college students is a rising issue in the United States, particularly among international students. These students often face unique challenges in accessing and preparing food as they adapt to life in a new country. Many college campuses provide food assistance programs, including pantries and other free food resources. However, the effectiveness of these programs in reducing food insecurity depends on their full utilization. International students, in particular, often encounter barriers that limit their utilization of these resources. Despite their significance, these challenges remain under-researched and require further investigation. This study aimed to examine the barriers international students attending Oklahoma State University (OSU) face in accessing free food resources both on and off campus. The findings highlight the challenges international college students experience in accessing and utilizing free food resources on and off campus. College campuses may aim to address these logistical and nutritional concerns by providing resources that better suit international student cultural food needs and adjusting operational hours to better suit students’ schedules.
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