College of Arts and Sciences – FY 2005 Research Abstracts
BOTANY
Salt Plains Microbial Observatory
This collaborative project (Oklahoma State University, University of Tulsa, and Wichita State University) studies the salt tolerant algae, bacteria, and archaea of the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near Cherokee, OK and the role of the Salt Plains’ extreme physical and chemical conditions on the ecology of the resident microbes.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: William Henley
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics: Robert Miller
Collaborative Research Grant
This collaborative project studies Arabidopsis functional genomics and the comparative studies between the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula. Emphasis is being placed on genes with essential functions during seed development.
Sponsor: Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
PI: David Meinke
Essential Gene Functions in Arabidopsis Seed Development
The collaborative project focuses on the analysis of genes that perform an essential function during seed development in Arabidopsis. Project deliverables include information regarding 300 essential genes, phenotype information, and seed stocks for corresponding mutants, summaries of relevant expression data, and a central online database for community use.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: David Meinke
Virginia Bioinformatics Institute: Allan Dickerman
Syngenta Agricultural Biotechnology Research, Inc: David Patton
OSU Plant Biotechnology Network
This study encompasses interdepartmental activities in molecular plant biology that are associated with the OSU Plant Biotechnology Network (BioNet). The project provides graduate student training, seminar and outreach activities, and research interactions with the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
Sponsor: Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
PI: David Meinke
Molecular Genetics of Arabidopsis titan Mutants
This research studies a collection of Arabidopsis mutants that exhibit striking defects in chromosome mechanics during seed development. The long-term objective is to understand the genetic basis for differences between embryo and endosperm development in flowering plants.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: David Meinke
Tallgrass Prairie Vegetation Monitoring
A long-term vegetation-monitoring program at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve will be established by sampling permanently marked study plots.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy
PI: Michael Palmer
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Grant Program
Two emerging cross-disciplinary fields, nanotechnology and biodiversity, will be targeted to bring them to the national competitive level. The grant will also support a robust education outreach program to nurture Oklahoma’s human resource infrastructure and nine new tenure track faculty positions in selected areas of nanotechnology and plant virus biodiversity.
Sponsors: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, National Science Foundation
PIs: Michael Palmer
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Ulrich Melcher
Assessment of Ecological Disturbance to Crosstimbers Habitat
This study is a continuation to monitor vegetation changes and to collect and analyze soil comparisons of disturbed and undisturbed crosstimbers and adjacent grasslands. Breeding bird use of disturbed and undisturbed crosstimbers and adjacent grasslands will also be documented.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
PI: Michael Palmer
Assessment of Ecological Disturbance to a Crosstimbers Habitat
This project assess the effects of a natural disturbance on habitat quality (vegetation structure and species composition) for 12 wildlife species and the long-term implications of disturbance on habitat change.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
PI: Michael Palmer
Functional Analysis of Vacuolar Potassium Channels
The objective is to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of vacuolar K+ transport. A combination of reverse genetic, biophysical, and physiological approaches is applied. Insight into the structure and function of vacuolar K+ channels will lead to a better understanding of plant growth, turgor driven movements, and K+ nutrition.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Gerald Schoenknecht
Improving Plant Physiology Teaching
New teaching materials are developed to increase students’ interest in plant physiology. Web-based, multimedia, learning aids for plant physiology enable each student to choose materials best suited to her/his personal learning style. Improved lab exercise instructions give students a better, more realistic impression about the process of doing science.
Sponsor: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
PI: Gerald Schoenknecht
Factors Affecting Replication of MCMV in BMS Protoplasts
MCMV infections in plants and maize protoplasts is already known. Work will initially concentrate on analysis of the components of the MCMV genome and the replications of MCMV at the cellular level.
Sponsor: Pioneer H-Bred International Inc.
PI: Kay Scheets
SGER: Assessing MNeSV as a Viral Vector for Gene Silencing in Maize
The project involves assessing a plant RNA virus, Maize necrotic streak virus (MNeSV), for its ability to be used as viral gene-silencing vector or expression vector in corn. A faculty member of an undergraduate institute will participate in the research to gain additional research skills and experience.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: Kay Scheets
Eastern Oklahoma State College: Leo T. Hall
Suppression of RNA Silencing in Maize
Using GenBank sequence information, the investigator designs primers to make a cDNA copy of the P1/HCpro-encoding region of the potyvisur Maize dwarf mosaic virus-A (MDMV-A) via RT-PCR from viral RNA. The cDNA will be cloned into a pUC-like plasmid. Then its sequence will be confirmed and transferred into the expression plasmid.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Kay Scheets
Functional Analysis of Two-Pore-Domain Potassium Channels
The long-term goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of intracellular K+ transport. Current research focuses on functional characterization of KCO channels in Arabidopsis. A combination of reverse genetic, biophysical, and physiological approaches is used.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Gerald Schoenknecht
Functional Analysis of Vacuolar Potassium Channels
This research project is aimed at understanding the physiological functions of members of the so-called KCO (K+ Channel Outward rectifying) family of K+ channels in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Gerald Schoenknecht
BRIN Summer Research Program
This project provides summer training and research experience for students.
Sponsor: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
PIs: Gerald Schoenknecht
Microbiology: Robert Burnap, Rolf Prade
Biochemistry and Microbiology: Ramamurthy Mahalingan, Ulrich Melcher
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources: Haobo Jiang
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology: Sundrararajan Madihally
CENTER FOR SCIENCE LITERACY
An Integrated Approach to Teaching Language Arts, Mathematics, and the Social Studies through the Natural Sciences
School teachers, OSU faculty from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Education, and representatives from the Center for Science Literacy are creating innovative, supplemental instructional materials to assist teachers at the K-9 level. These materials will provide teachers with the tools to integrate major content areas into science instruction.
Sponsor: The Pfizer Foundation
PI: Smith Holt
Oklahoma Leadership and Assistance for Science Reform (LASER)
The Center for Science Literacy will conduct workshops for teachers in select hub cities in Alabama, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southern New England, and Washington State to build a cadre of secondary teachers, nationwide, who will serve as a nucleus for change in their region.
Sponsor: Arthur Vining Davis Foundation
PI: Smith Holt
Success in Science and Mathematics Professional Development Institute (SSPDI)
The Teacher Development Institute provides teacher-participants intensive professional development in content, brain research, cooperative learning, facilitation skills, adult learning theory, and peer coaching. The companion Chemistry and Biology Institute provides similar training and incorporates the use of computer technology. These institutes serve nearly 500 teachers per year.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation
PI: Smith Holt
Star Schools: The New Millennium Oklahoma State University
This multi-departmental education project aims to improve, via distance education, the science and mathematics preparation of in-service middle school science and mathematics teachers.
Sponsor: Department of Education
PIs: Smith Holt
Arts & Sciences Extension: Robert Brown
Chemistry: Mark Rockley
Mathematics: James Choike
Microbiology & Molecular Genetics: James Blankemeyer
Physics: Bruce Ackerson
Collaborative Teacher Education Fund – Fourjay
Sponsors: Fourjay Foundation, Oklahoma State University Foundation
PI: Smith Holt
A Professional Development Institute on Algebra and Its End-of-Course Assessment
This project provides a model for effective classroom teaching of algebra. The model will increase teacher knowledge in algebra, provide exemplar model algebra lessons to serve as effective strategies for content delivery, and increase teacher experience and facility in using formative assessment strategies to increase students’ understanding of algebra.
Sponsor: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
PI: Gayla Hudson
Development of a Web-based Curriculum for the Oklahoma Teacher Enhancement Program
The curriculum content focus is training educators to use the teacher evaluation form and how to mentor teachers for professional improvement. Training will include two full days of face-to-face, on-site training with web curriculum follow-up and surveys being completed on individual school site computers.
Sponsor: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
PI: Smith Holt
CHEMISTRY
Development of Technology Addressing Power Generation and Storage Challenges
A vertically integrated, interdisciplinary, multi-university team will address several National Aeronautics and Space Administration concerns in the area of electricity generation and storage. One goal will be the development of technology for roll-to-roll processing of metal-selenide-based solar cells into flexible polymeric substrates and electrical storage.
Sponsor: University of Oklahoma
PI: Allen Apblett
Process for In-situ Incapacitation of Explosives
This research will develop two promising techniques for rapidly and safely neutralizing explosives under ambient conditions. One method involves the reduction of explosive compounds to non-explosive compounds. The second process decomposes aromatic or cyclic explosives by reacting them with organic amines at moderate temperatures.
Sponsor: Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism
PIs: Allen Apblett, Nicholas Materer
Regents EPSCoR/NSF Graduate Research Assistant Support
Sponsors: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, National Science Foundation, Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
PI: Allen Apblett
Cleaning Solutions Capable of Improving Corrosion Resistance of Aluminum Alloys
Several sulfonated ligands for the prevention of copper plating in deoxidation baths will be developed and tested. Three sulfur-based chelators will also be investigated.
Sponsor: Nomadics, Inc.
PI: Allen Apblett
EPSCoR Infrastructure Improvement Plan Graduate Support
Sponsors: National Science Foundation, Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
PI: Allen Apblett
Proposal to Purchase One Liquid Chromatography Unit and Column
A liquid chromotography unit and column will be purchased, which will aid in the development of anti-cancer agents for ovarian and vulva cancer.
Sponsors: Founders and Associates, Inc., Oklahoma State University Foundation
PI: K. D. Berlin
This research is directed towards the study of tandem reaction for the efficient synthesis of new heterocyclic drug candidates. Its focus is to develop and optimize each new process, elucidate its mechanism and scope, and to search for ways to generate product compounds with higher stereoselectivity.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
PI: Richard A. Bunce
Physics and Chemistry of Hydrogen-Bonded Nanoparticles and their Interactions with Strong Absorbates
This program continues its focus on the properties of icy nanoparticles at the molecular level. Of particular interest is the comparative nature of the surfaces of ice and methanol particles and their respective interactions with strong H-bonding absorbates to T<140 K.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: J. Paul Devlin
Bioavailability of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Dynamics of Their Interactions with Natural Organic Matter: Linking Molecular- and Microbial-Scale Interactions
The project bridges the gap between microbial-scale and molecular-scale interactions to define and quantitatively characterize bioavailability in terms of nanoscale processes. An enzymatic assay and whole-microbe assay will be developed that utilizes enzymes and bioluminescent bacteria, which will permit risk assessments and remediation interventions to be evaluated by contaminated bioavailability.
Sponsor: University of Oklahoma
PI: Margaret Eastman
Capillary-Based Separation Platform for Proteomics
The two major objectives of this investigation are to develop two-dimensional (2-D) capillary-based platform for profiling nano-protoemics and to demonstrate the potential of the 2-D platform in proteomic biomarkers.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
PI: Ziad El Rassi
Biophotonics: Collaborative Research: Photoactivated Coupling of Nanoparticle Multilayers and Nerve Cells
A multidisciplinary, multi-university research team will investigate the mechanisms of the live/lifeless matter interaction in a model system consisting of a thin film composed of nanoparticles and cultured nerve cells.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: Warren Ford, Nicholas Kotov
Physics: James Wicksted
Composite Latexes of Dendrimers and Polystyrene
The goals are to synthesize polymer colloids 15-100nm in diameter that are nearly monodisperse than any made before and to assemble spherical particles into colloidal crystals. Expected, new materials may serve as calibration standards for electron microscopy, optical filters and switches, and templates for the synthesis of photonic bandgap materials.
Sponsor: American Chemical Society
PI: Warren Ford
Radical Routes to New Copolymeric Materials
Two new types of polymers will be synthesized and characterized. Copolymers formed by emulsion polymerization may provide a low cost alternative to the block copolymers used now to stabilize polymer blends. Model polyampholytes will be synthesized to enable testing of current theory of their structures and properties in aqueous solutions.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Warren Ford
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Grant Program
Multidisciplinary, multi-campus research groups were formed at Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, OU Health Sciences Center, University of Tulsa, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and the private sector. This group will facilitate efforts to develop major research centers, enhance private sector research and development, and improve the statewide educational infrastructure.
Sponsors: National Science Foundation, Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
PI: Warren T. Ford
Transfer of Funds for Equipment Purchase
A high-temperature heater/cooler package for the Multi-Mode SPMs and a heater/cooler fluid cell kit for the MultiMode SPMs will be purchased. The MultiMode SPMS is used to sample heating and temperature control from -35oC to 250oC in air or inert gas.
Sponsors: Oklahoma Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, National Science Foundation
PI: Warren T. Ford
Research and Education in Nanotechnology
This research supports three areas: additions of new nanotechnology research faculty, graduate research assistants for work on specific research projects, and education in nanotechnology at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and The University of Tulsa.
Sponsor: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
PI: Warren T. Ford
Molecular Laboratory Experiments in Chemistry
This project addresses four instructional problems at the introductory level in Chemistry: 1) curriculum materials, 2) difficulty students have linking macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic levels of understanding, 3) computer-based instructional materials, and 4) identification and addressing of student’s misconceptions. Instructional materials implemented follow a macroscopic (sensory) microscopic/symbolic inquiry-oriented, laboratory-based model.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: John Gelder
Critical Thinking in the Biological Sciences
This project develops approximately 40 sets of instruction activities for “before” and “after” class meetings using the Learning Cycle Approach for first and second semester introductory chemistry classes. Instructional activities for specific class meetings are linked to address a particular learning objective(s) for the course.
Sponsor: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
PIs: John Gelder
Botany: Gerald Schonknecht
Biochemistry: Margaret Essenberg
Mathematics: Doug Aichele, Alan V. Noell
Zoology: Donald P. French
Sponsor: University of Texas Medical Branch
PI: Nicholas Kotov
In-Situ Incapacitation of Explosives, Year Two
A catalyst system that forms stable suspensions in water, butanol, or organic amines and can be sprayed or pumped into an explosive device and render it harmless will be developed.
Sponsor: Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism
PIs: Nicholas Materer, Allen Apblett
Well Bio-Fouling Corrosion
Sponsor: Tec-Masters, Inc.
PI: Nicholas Materer
Advanced Nanostructured Hybrid Coatings for the Protection of Aircraft Aluminum
Corrosion protection properties of sol-gel-clay polyelectrolyte coatings are investigated in this project. The layer-by-layer method of their preparation affords the function-specific design of the multilayer structure, which is difficult to achieve by other techniques.
Sponsors: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Air Force
PIs: Neil Purdie, Nicholas Kotov
Modeling of the Metal Cutting Process
This research works on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the machining process. Objectives are to: 1) advance the understanding of the machining process in general and, in particular, nanometeric cutting, and 2) model the submicron diamond turning process of both non-ferrous and semi-conducting materials at the atomistic level.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: Lionel Raff
College of Architecture, Engineering and Technology: Ranga Komanduri
Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Material Processing
This research addresses some critical issues involved in multiscale, multiphenomena material modeling theory and simulation. The primary goal is to develop scaling laws for multiscale simulations using such material testing.
Sponsor: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
PI: Lionel Raff
Star Schools: The New Millennium Oklahoma State University
This is a multi-departmental education project directed towards improving, via distance education, the science and mathematics preparation of middle school science and mathematics teachers.
Sponsor: Department of Education
PIs: Mark Rockley
Arts & Sciences Extension: Robert Brown
Center for Science Literacy: Smith Holt
Mathematics: James Choike
Microbiology & Molecular Genetics: James Blankemeyer
Physics: Bruce Ackerson
Porous Nanostructured Catalysts Derived From Metal-Functionalized Dendrimers
A new route to nanostructured catalysts that combine the selectivity of homogeneous catalysts with the recoverability of heterogeneous catalysts will be developed. A new synthetic route to organometallic catalysts on porous organic supports will also be sought by cross-linking commercially available dendrimers.
Sponsors: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
PIs: LeGrande M. Slaughter, Warren T. Ford
NSF EPSCoR NanoNet Transfer for GRA Support
Sponsors: National Science Foundation, Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
PI: LeGrand M. Slaughter
Theoretical Chemical Dynamics Studies of Elementary Combustion Reactions
The goal of this research is to develop methods and perform studies of the reactions of polyatomic radicals involved in hydrocarbon combustion.
Sponsor: Department of Energy
PI: Donald L. Thompson
Catalysis with Readily Modified Chelating Carbene Complexes
The proposed research involves the syntheses of transition metal complexes containing novel chelating carbine ligands and investigation of their activity as homogenous catalysts for reactions that are important in the conversion of petroleum raw materials into useful substances.
Sponsor: American Chemical Society
PI: LeGrande Slaughter
Surface Profile Analysis of General Purpose Bomb Bodies Prepared for Thermal Arc Spray Coatings
This project performs surface analysis on general-purpose bomb body samples. Each sample will be tested on three random locations. At each location, the analysis will include peak height, mean roughness, roughness depth, peak count, peak depth, and peak angle.
Sponsor: Air Force
PI: Allen Apblett
Atomic-Level Modeling of Energetic Materials
Molecular dynamics simulation methods and ab initio electronic structure calculations have undergone significant new developments in recent years, providing accurate practical methods for predicting the energetics and rates for very large complex systems. The approach and goals of this research project are designed with the ultimate aim of accurate theoretical modeling of the combustion and detonation of energetic materials.
Sponsor: U.S. Army Research Office
PI: Donald Thompson
Nanostructuring of Semiconductor Surfaces
The objective of this project is to develop methods that utilize the nanoscale periodicity inherent to the Si(100) surface to order an organic overlay. Initial experiments will involve multifunctional organic compounds that can react with the surface to impart unique properties.
Sponsors: Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, National Science Foundation, Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
PI: Nick Materer
Ecologically Benign Corrosion Protection by Stratified Coatings
Testing to be carried out for this research includes a trained technician spraying ORMOSIL coatings onto substrates, or LBL films, and Salt Fog Chamber measurements.
Sponsor: Nomadics, Inc
PI: Allen Apblett
In-Situ Incapacitation of Explosives
The goal of this project is to develop a catalyst system that forms stable suspensions in water, butanol, or organic amines that can be sprayed or pumped onto an explosive device and render it harmless.
Sponsor: Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism
PIs: Allen Apblett, Nick Materer
Simulations of Processes in Energetic Materials
The goal of this project is development of methods and models for realistic simulations of chemical reactions associated with the initiation and consumption of solid energetic materials. Simulations will provide mechanistic details and reaction rates for the processes’ sequences leading to the material’s chemical depletion from initiating reactions to formation of final products.
Sponsor: Department of the Army
PI: Donald Thompson
Accurate Theoretical Predictions of the Properties of Energetic Materials
The goal of the work is to achieve a better understanding of the solubility and other properties of substances in supercritical fluids and to employ that understanding in the development of supercritical fluid technologies for recycling and reclamation of energetic materials.
Sponsor: U.S. Army Research Office
PI: Donald Thompson
COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS
Professional Development Institute for Middle School Math
Intermediate and middle school teachers at four different sites will receive 48 hours of professional development in Connected Mathematics and Investigation.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation
PI: Smith Holt
Speech-Language Pathology in the Public Schools: Investigating and Addressing Specific Training Needs
The primary focus of this research is to develop and disseminate three surveys, which will identify training needs for recruitment, retention, and retraining of speech-language pathologists in the public school systems in Oklahoma.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Department of Education
PI: Penny Cremeens
The agreement permits graduate students to provide speech and language pathology services to the clients of the Sheltered Workshop for Payne County, Inc.
Sponsor: Sheltered Workshop for Payne County, Inc
PI: Randolph Deal
Practicum Agreement
The agreement permits student clinicians to provide speech and language pathology services to the clients of Gatesway Foundation.
Sponsor: Gatesway Foundation
PI: Randolph Deal
Development of a Language Development Lab within the OSU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
This program makes provisions to develop and outfit a language development laboratory within the Oklahoma State University Speech/Language/Hearing Clinic. This laboratory will serve as a research and training center for undergraduate and graduate students in the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Sponsor: New Directions Foundation
PI: Randolph Deal
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Small Volume Accurate Data Forecasting Models
The objective of this research is to identify and acquire new data, provide forecasting functionality, and develop a user’s manuals. The project also develops a new methodology applicable to other weapon systems by choosing KC-135 as the research target to acquire new data.
Sponsor: Automated Science Group, Inc.
PI: K. M. George
Task Order 0027 Digital Technical Order Library Administrative Support Phase II
The project evaluates the current G050 database and programs, designs and adds new tables as needed, enhances existing forecasting software, implements models making them accessible over the internet, and develops a methodology to deliver newly created information to G050 users.
Sponsor: Tec-Masers, Inc.
PI: K. M. George
ABDR Engineering Database/Portal/Small Volume Accurate Data Forecasting Models
Information will be accessed, via the web, and organized into a database structure that can be imported into an Oracle database/portal.
Sponsor: Automated Sciences Group, Inc.
PI: K. M. George
MSD Process Improvement
The need for special studies across the Air Logistics Center (ALC) requires highly specialized skills that are not typically available to the government. This project assists Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC) in accomplishing technology needs identified for the 2005-2006 Center for Aerospace System/Support Infrastructure (CAS) program.
Sponsor: Tech-Masters, Inc.
PI: K. M. George
REU Sites in Computer Graphics, Vision, and Content-Based Image Retrieval at OSU
The objective for this program is to allow students to become familiar with all aspects of research, to expose talented undergraduate students to research environments not available at their home institutions, and to involve them in ongoing research projects. Students will participate in research and follow-up activities.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Doug Heisterkamp
Junior Faculty Summery Salary Support
This project supports tenure-track junior faculty for two summer months.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
PI: Istvan Jonyer
SGER: Yield Assurance and Optimization for Clockless Wave Pipeline
This program supports basic research underlying the science and methodologies for designing integrated systems comprised of micro systems in traditional silicon VLSI technology, in MEMS technologies, and in computing media of the future.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Nohpill Park
Using a Multi-Resolution GIS-Modeling Approach to Evaluate the Carbon Sequestration Potential in Texas County, Oklahoma
The project aims to evaluate the carbon sequestration potential in the Oklahoma panhandle using a multi-resolution, GIS-based modeling approach. The main goal of the research is to enhance a global model NASA-CASA (Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach) for estimating the carbon sequestering potential of CRP at field scales.
Sponsors: University of Oklahoma, NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
PIs: Johnson Thomas
Geography: Mahesh Rao
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology: Guoliang Fan
ENGLISH
Henry David Thoreau and John Burroughs and the Development of Nature and Natural History Writing in Books for Young Adults in the 19th and 20th Centuries
The study examines the work of Henry Thoreau and John Burroughs and their contributions to the development of nature and natural history writing. Both writers focused on nature and natural history, rather than the adventure stories common in other nature fiction and nonfiction for younger readers.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Richard P. Batteiger
National Writing Project
The Oklahoma State University Writing Project offers Oklahoma teachers a school-university partnership in developing strategies for writing, teaching writing, and research. As teachers become active writers and/or researchers, their students will write more often, and the quality of their writing will improve.
Sponsor: National Writing Project Corporation - California
PIs: Britton Gildersleeve, Joye Alberts
Professional Development Services through the National Writing Project
This project delivers professional development for teachers in Lawton Public Schools, Lawton, Oklahoma.
Sponsor: Lawton Public Schools
PI: Britton Gildersleeve
The Grant Plains Reader: A Cross Disciplinary Reader
Sponsor: Hartcourt Brace College Publishers
PI: E. Grubgeld
A Biography of American Poet Marianne Moore (1887-1972)
This biography offers a perspective on Moore’s life from familial, historical, and cultural contexts. With support from the Moore estate and access to previously unknown documents, the biography provides scholars and readers with a fuller understanding and appreciation of Moore’s work and her personal and professional relationships.
Sponsor: National Endowment for the Humanities
PI: Linda Leavell
As Far As Anyone Knows: The Anti-Televisual Paradoxes of Film Noir
In this study, 40-50 VHS and DVD transfers of classic-period films noirs will be purchased to finish two final chapters of a book supporting the writer’s theory that the films’ crime narratives differ consistently from the headline news stories that appear on-screen.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Hugh Manon
Conversationally Speaking: Extemporaneous Discourse and the Improvisatrice Tradition
In Boston, Massachusetts, the investigator will conduct research relevant to the literary works of Margaret Fuller and Fuller’s role as a rhetorical theorist and improvisatrice.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Melissa Ianetta
Course Development English for Specific Project and Introduction to Aviation English
This project develops for the Federal Aviation Administration an English-for-Specific-Purposes language course, which includes instructional materials and evaluations. Instruction and materials will be given in daily classes of five hours for five weeks to adult participants. Course content will be specified by hours of instruction to accomplish the training outcomes.
Sponsor: Federal Aviation Administration Aeronautical Center
PIs: Carol L. Moder, Gene Halleck
Aviation English Training Class 10003 and Class 10004
Instructional support and materials are provided to facilitate the delivery of Course 10003, Introduction to Aviation English training, and Course 10004, English for Air Traffic training for international participants. This course follows up an earlier one for aviation English training and testing materials.
Sponsor: Federal Aviation Administration Aeronautical Center
PIs: Carol Moder, Gene Halleck
TV Nationalisms: Culture and Empire in the Post-National Context
Depictions of the American national identity in television westerns during the Vietnam War, specifically in the programs Bonanza and Gunsmoke, are analyzed. Narratives in such programs were complex, illustrating the difficulty of constructing and maintaining a singular national identity when gender, race, and class inequality were in the spotlight.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Stacy L. Takacs
Joyce, Science, Science Fiction
This research focuses on two projects: James Joyce and biology, and science fiction and American culture in the second half of the 20th century. Two scholarly articles will be produced at its completion.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Edward P. Walkiewicz
Artistic Representation of English Foxhunting during the Greatest Period of the Sport, 1750-1914
Foxhunting art initially reflected the values of hard-riding, hard-drinking men dominating the sport and violence and death of the fox. As the sport admitted middle-class people, emphasis shifted from violence and death to increasingly codified standards of dress and behavior that governed the riders.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Martin Wallen
GEOGRAPHY
OLI/NRW Database Relocation/Update and Restructuring Project
The database restructuring encompasses a complete re-tabling of the current OLI Database and moving the final production version of the database to the Oklahoma Center for Geospatial Information. In its final phase, the work will include “cleanup” of the OLI Database.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Historic Preservation Office
PIs: G. Allen Finchum, George O. Carney
Thematic Survey of Historic Movie Theaters in Central Oklahoma
The thematic architectural and historic survey will locate, identify, and document indoor and outdoor movie theaters in a seven-county region in central Oklahoma. The project will include gathering of information that can be used for the evaluation of properties under the compliance program of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Historical Society
PI: Alyson L. Greiner
The project is to develop web-based instructional modules that address theory, operation, and applications of global positioning system (GPS) technology and its integration with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Modules will contain presentation materials for instructors, interactive web-based lessons and testing, “hands-on” field and lab exercises, followed by an evaluation.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: Michael Myers, Thomas Wikle
Ten undergraduate students will receive an opportunity to experience the research process through applications of geographic information system (GIS) to soil and water research problems. With mentors’ assistance, student researchers will conceptualize a research question, collect data, analyze GIS and statistics, and interpret project results.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: Thomas Wikle, Michael Myers
FY04 Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative Work: Assessment, Research, Policy Study, and Outreach
The areas of focus include: 1) continuation of the outreach and education efforts of OWPI, 2) a report summarizing an analysis of the role that wind energy can plan in developing a hydrogen/energy storage system, and 3) a discussion of the research efforts of OWPI.
Sponsor: University of Oklahoma
PI: Stephen Stadler
Reconnaissance Level Survey for Portions of Frederick, OK
This project emphasizes the recording of extant properties and is designed to provide a cost effective approach for increasing the area inventoried within the state and the number of recorded properties. Information will be useful in making management decisions about properties potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Sponsors: Melvena Heisch, State Historical Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
PI: Brad Bays
Thematic Survey of New Deal Public Art in Oklahoma
This thematic survey will concentrate on federal art projects that resulted from New Deal Era relief projects in Oklahoma between 1933 and 1942. The project will provide a minimum level of documentation for individual buildings, as well as any art within them, as outlined by the State Historic Preservation Office.
Sponsors: Melvena Heisch, State Historical Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
PI: Alyson Greiner
Vegetation Mapping around Lake Hudson, Oklahoma
The overall goal for this project is to conduct a shoreline inventory of wetland/terrestrial habitat types between elevations 619-636 feet of Lake Hudson in Mayes County, OK.
Sponsor: Atkins Environmental
PIs: Mahesh Rao
Zoology: David Leslie
The Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative and Wind Powering America
The project will supplement production of a one-day Farm Bill workshop. This workshop will focus on wind power for OSU Extension and Experiment Station personnel.
Sponsor: University of Oklahoma
PI: Stephen Stadler
FY 2005 Oklahoma Wind Energy Power Initiative
Sponsor: University of Oklahoma
PI: Stephen Stadler
Hydro-Geological Calibration of Interview-Based Mapping for Assessing Groundwater
Fluctuations at a Multi-Oblase Level in Uzbekistan
This project is to combine surveys of traditional water systems and computer trend-surface mapping with information derived from users of traditional wells to depict change over time in groundwater. This information can be mapped to show regional variations in depth to groundwater. Results can offer a graphic portrayal of groundwater trends.
Sponsor: National Research Council
PI: Dale Lightfoot
USAID/Higher Education and Development Program (HEAD) Oklahoma Higher Education Partnership (OHEP)
A partnership among U.S. and Iraqi colleges and universities will invigorate and modernize Iraq’s institutions of higher education. It will provide technical expertise to Iraq’s universities and technical colleges, and engage Iraqi higher education administrators, faculty, and students in the revitalization of Iraq’s higher education system.
Sponsor: USAID
PI: Dale Lightfoot
Rural Alliance for Improving Science Education (RAISE)
RAISE will place 30 outstanding teachers instructing grades 6-12 grade to work with public school teachers in three rural school districts in north central Oklahoma. RAISE’s success will be evidenced by student performance on science sections of the state-mandated Oklahoma Core Curriculum Test administered to 8th and 12th grade students.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Thomas Wikle
FY04 Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory
This project is provisional support for storing, maintaining, and updating, via computerization, the Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory database and Oklahoma’s National Register of Historic Places website. The information about the state’s historic buildings, districts, structures, sites, and objects will be accessible to its many users.
Sponsors: Melvena Heisch, State Historical Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
PIs: George Carney, Allen Finchum
Institute for Teaching GIScience (ITSCI)
Sponsor: National Geographic Society Education Foundation
PI: Tom Wikle
GEOLOGY
U.S.-India Cooperative Research
The use of a combined geochemical, structural, and geomorphological approach tests the hypothesis that the Main Central Thrust (MCT) shear zone accommodated slip and sustained seismic activity since the Miocene.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: Elizabeth Catlos, Richard Marston
Collaborative Research: Extensional Unroofing of the Central Menderes Metamorphic Complex
The Aegean extensional region experienced continental collisions from Late Cretaceous to Ecocene. The largest Aegean area is the Menderes Massif in Western Turkey. This study will characterize the petrologic evolution of rocks in the central Menderes Massif to identify the cause of the tectonic transition from compression to extension.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Elizabeth Catlos
Structural and Geophysical Study of the Wilburton Gas Field and Surrounding Areas
The Arkoma basin is one of several foreland basins formed during contractional orogeny characterized by thrust structures. To better understand the thrust faults’ role in the compartmentation of the reservoirs in the Wilburton field, analysis of the geometry and timing of the thrust faulting in the area will be performed.
Sponsor: Devon Energy Corporation
PIs: Ibrahim Cemen, Surinder Shai
Environmental Characterization and Monitoring of LNAPL
Sponsor: Oklahoma Corporation Commission
PI: Todd Halihan
Post Remediation Characterization of LNAPL Using Electronic Resistivity and Direct Push Techniques
The project will test the effectiveness of a direct push electrical resistivity tomography (DPERT), in evaluating post remediation LNAPL traces. The site used for the study will determine if the technique is useful in determining when a site is clean enough to allow site closure.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Corporation Commission
PI: Todd Halihan
Geomorphic Adjustment of the Washita River, Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, Oklahoma
The project evaluates the present geomorphic condition of the Washita River through the Washita Battlefield in Oklahoma, its adjustment to the present channel, and the likelihood a channel similar to that which existed in 1868 could remain in equilibrium with the present conditions of flow and sediment.
Sponsor: National Park Service
PIs: Richard Marston, Todd Halihan
New Frontiers: Research Experience for Undergraduates in the Space and Planetary Sciences
Research experience for 12 undergraduate students is provided during a 10-week period in the summer. Students experience includes, but is not limited to, working with rock glaciers on Mars, dating instruments for landing on Mars, dating the sediments, and developing a sensor for detecting life on Mars.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PIs: Richard Marston, Elizabeth Catlos
Physics: Stephen McKeever
Hypothesis-Based Learning in Earth Science
A faculty team is developing a website that will introduce middle school math and science teachers to a revolutionary new integrated approach to their subject areas. The team is developing a curriculum, a series of workshops, and lessons for teachers, which can be accessed directly from the classrooms.
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education
PIs: Richard Marston, Jim Puckette
Mapping of Mudstone and Sandstone Layers of Central Oklahoma Aquifer
There are three goals for this project: a better understanding of the hydrologic and geochemical controls on the distribution of naturally occurring arsenic in an oxygen-rich, red-bed aquifer, development of a new strategy to protect drinking water supplies, and an improved understanding of the Central Oklahoma aquifer system.
Sponsor: U.S. Geological Survey
PI: Stan Paxton
Elements of Prospectivity and Productivity in Mississippian Dark Shales, Southern Midcontinent
Mississippian dark shales in Fort Worth and Arkmoa basins have a common origin and possess certain properties that influence productivity. If distinct rock properties or depositional settings can be recognized that are crucial to gas productivity, criteria may be developed for exploring gas-bearing shales and improving gas recovery efficiency.
Sponsor: Devon Energy Corporation
PIs: James O. Puckette, Stanley Paxton, Surinder Sahai, Darwin Boardman
Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer Study
This study compiles, describes, and assesses existing literature and data pertaining to the hydrology of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer and related surface waters. Results will provide background information for the hydrologic investigation, assist researchers to identify where data are present or lacking, and provide historic water resources information.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Water Resources Board
PI: Todd Halihan
Estimating the Orientation and Intensity of Fractures in Sedimentary Rocks Using Multi-Component 3-D Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Ground water aquifer(s) supply a large portion of the drinking water in parts of Oklahoma. Crucial to the supply is understanding fracture orientation and intensity. This study determines if multi-component 3-D ground-penetrating radar (GPR) can be used effectively to map the fracture orientation and intensity in fractured rocks.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute
PIs: Surinder Sahai, Todd Halihan
HISTORY
Law Enforcement and Social Change in Late Ming Rural Communities
This research studies the dynamic interaction between law enforcement and social change in rural communities during the last century of the Ming Dynasty.
Sponsor: American Council of Learned Societies
PI: Younglin Jiang
Manifesting the Mandate of Heaven: The Great Ming Code as a Cosmological Instrument for Transforming the Realm
This study collects and researches rare books at the Beijing National Library leading to completion of a book-length study of the great Ming Code.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Younglin Jiang
Jonathan Edwards: (1703-1758) 18th Century Congregational Church Developments in Colonial New England
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: J. Cooper
The History of Finland with Emphasis on the 19th and 20th Centuries
This survey of Finland’s past emphasizes the 19th and 20th centuries from three perspectives.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Jason Lavery
The Economic Decline of Jordan in the Middle Ages as Part of the Decline of the Greater Syria under Mamluk Administration
The archaeological survey of northern Jordan is part of a larger study on Mamluk agricultural policies in the country. This region’s oft-repeated whole-scale abandonment will be studied to determine if Jordan really was abandoned by the Mamluk authorities and depopulated and what factors accounted for this.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Bethany Walker
Teaching American History Program
This project will provide increased professional development and immersion activities for its teachers, as well as rigorous academic standards and enrichment activities for its students. The main goal is to raise student achievement in traditional American history as evidenced by local and state testing.
Sponsors: Lonnie Hamilton, American History Grant Administrator, El Reno Public Schools
PI: William Bryans
French Priests Renouncing Revolution (1791-1801): Patterns of Guilt and Expediency
Some priests who took a loyalty oath to the new revolutionary government in 1790, retracted it, and asked the Roman church for reconciliation. This study examines the retracting priests’ motives, to understand guilt patterns and expediency operative in the Church-State strife, a central feature of the French Revolution.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Joseph Byrnes
The Comparative Cultural History of Women and Mental Illness in Modern Europe from 1750 to 1950 in Britain and France
This overview studies the approaches in Britain and France to mental illness in women and of the reactions of women patients to diagnoses and treatments. The study also explores the broad cultural influences, especially views of gender, which governed the thinking and actions of practioners and patients.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Humanities Council
PI: Elizabeth Williams
MATHEMATICS
Effective Biological Science through Mathematics
The Effective Biological Science through Mathematics (EBSM), an interdisciplinary effort, contributes to student success in selected coursework in the biological sciences and to student retention in the biological sciences. Activities include instructor/student-friendly supplements on enzyme kinetics, various forms of inhibition, and the effect of gating on Michaelis enzyme kinetics.
Sponsor: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
PIs: Douglas Aichele, Alan Noell
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics: James Blankemeyer
Critical Thinking in the Biological Sciences
The project directly contributes not only to improving critical thinking skills and to student success in college Algebra but also to retention in the biological sciences. The primary development activities include web-based interactive learning supplements using Maple TA for selected function topics and MAPS Home Page.
Sponsor: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
PIs: Doug Aichele, Alan V. Noell,
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Earl D. Mitchell, Jr.
Botany: Gerald Schonknecht
Chemistry: John I. Gelder
Zoology: Donald P. French
Cohomology of Exponential Sums
Exponential sums originally arose in basic problems in number theory, such as trying to estimate the number of integer solutions to an equation. This project will attempt to extend some of the classical results in the subject to new classes of exponential sums.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
PI: Alan Adolphson
Algebra for All
Algebra for All project, a five-year program, develops internet-based professional development training for middle-math teachers in algebra content and pedagogy. Training is delivered through exemplar inquiry-based algebra-for-all lessons with an embedded instructional design that will train teachers in content and in effective ways to engage all students in learning algebra.
Sponsor: United States Department of Education
Pi: James R. Choike
Advanced Placement Summer Institute for Math Teachers
A summer math institute for teachers will provide two advanced placement courses: AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BS.
Sponsor: Oklahoma State Department of Education
PI: James Choike
Professional Development Institute on Algebra and Its End-of-Course Assessment
The project delivers professional development to middle school algebra teachers emphasizing content, pedagogy, equity, and assessment. It uses student-centered, learning-by-discovery, classroom-ready lessons to demonstrate and model the training. Project goals will be accomplished with a five-day summer institute, follow-up meetings, and extensive support during the academic year.
Sponsor: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
PIs: James R. Choike
College of Education: Gayla Hudson
STCL: Susan Stansberry
Oklahoma State University AP Calculus Institute
This project conducts a week-long Summer Institute for Oklahoma Mathematics teachers on the content, pedagogy, and assessment of Advanced Placement Calculus AB and BC.
Sponsor: Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of AP Initiative
PI: James R. Choike
This project investigated L-functions of automorphic representations and their applications in the following three contexts: 1) the Converse Theorem for GL(n) and Functoriality, 2) number Theoretic Applications of L-functions for GL(3), and 3) an exposition of the theory of L-functions for GL(n).
Sponsor: National Security Agency