Oklahoma State University–Stillwater

About: Oklahoma State University–Stillwater is a education organization based out in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 18267 authors who have published 36743 publications receiving 1107500 citations. The organization is also known as: Oklahoma State University & OKState.

Homogeneity of Variance in the Two-Sample Means Test

Abstract: In the two-sample means test, the need for a preliminary variance test and the special emphasis given to the equal variance assumption are questioned. The conclusions can be easily used in the classroom to teach the two sample means test.

A Privacy-Preserving Scheme for Incentive-Based Demand Response in the Smart Grid

Abstract: The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in the smart grid provides real-time information to both grid operators and customers, exploiting the full potential of demand response (DR). However, it introduces new privacy threats to customers. Prior works have proposed privacy-preserving methods in the AMI, such as temporal or spatial aggregation. A main assumption in these works is that fine-grained data do not need to be attributable to individuals. However, this assumption does not hold in incentive-based demand response (IDR) programs where fine-grained metering data are required to analyze individual demand curtailments, and hence, need to be attributable. In this paper, we propose a privacy-preserving scheme for IDR programs in the smart grid, which enables the DR provider to compute individual demand curtailments and DR rewards while preserving customer privacy. Moreover, a customer can reveal his/her identity and prove ownership of his/her power usage profile in certain situations, such as legal disputes. We achieve both privacy and efficiency in our scheme through a combination of several cryptographic primitives, such as identity-committable signatures and partially blind signatures. As far as we know, we are the first to identify and address privacy issues for IDR programs in the smart grid.

Sugarcane Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae): A New Pest on Sorghum in North America.

Abstract: In 2013, the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a new invasive pest of sorghum species in North America, was confirmed on sorghum in 4 states and 38 counties in the United States. In 2015, the aphid was reported on sorghum in 17 states and over 400 counties as well as all sorghum-producing regions in Mexico. Ability to overwinter on living annual and perennial hosts in southern sorghum-producing areas and wind-aided movement of alate aphids appear to be the main factors in its impressive geographic spread in North America. Morphological characteristics of the sugarcane aphid include dark tarsi, cornicles, and antennae, allowing easy differentiation from other aphids on the crop. Sugarcane aphid damages sorghum by removing sap and covering plants with honeydew, causing general plant decline and yield loss. Honeydew and sooty mold can disrupt harvesting. The aphid's high reproductive rate on susceptible sorghum hybrids has resulted in reports of yield loss ranging from 10% to greater than 50%. In response, a combination of research-based data and field observations has supported development of state extension identification, scouting, and treatment guides that aid in initiating insecticide applications to prevent yield losses. Highly efficacious insecticides have been identified and when complemented by weekly scouting and use of thresholds, economic loss by sugarcane aphid can be minimized. Some commercial sorghum hybrids are partially resistant to the aphid, and plant breeders have identified other lines with sugarcane aphid resistance. A very diverse community of predators and parasitoids of sugarcane aphid has been identified, and their value to limit sugarcane aphid population growth is under investigation.