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.

Biomass supply chain design and analysis: Basis, overview, modeling, challenges, and future

Abstract: Biofuels are identified as the potential solution for depleting fossil fuel reserves, increasing oil prices, and providing a clean, renewable energy source The major barrier preventing the commercialization of lignocellulosic biorefineries is the complex conversion process and their respective supply chain Efficient supply chain management of a lignocellulosic biomass is crucial for success of second generation biofuels This paper systematically describes energy needs, energy targets, biofuel feedstocks, conversion processes, and finally provides a comprehensive review of Biomass Supply Chain (BSC) design and modeling Specifically, the paper presents a detailed review of mathematical programming models developed for BSC and identifies key challenges and potential future work This review will provide readers with a starting point for understanding biomass feedstocks and biofuel production as well as detailed analysis of the BSC modeling and design

Sociality, density-dependence and microclimates determine the persistence of populations suffering from a novel fungal disease, white-nose syndrome.

Abstract: Disease has caused striking declines in wildlife and threatens numerous species with extinction. Theory suggests that the ecology and density-dependence of transmission dynamics can determine the probability of disease-caused extinction, but few empirical studies have simultaneously examined multiple factors influencing disease impact. We show, in hibernating bats infected with Geomyces destructans, that impacts of disease on solitary species were lower in smaller populations, whereas in socially gregarious species declines were equally severe in populations spanning four orders of magnitude. However, as these gregarious species declined, we observed decreases in social group size that reduced the likelihood of extinction. In addition, disease impacts in these species increased with humidity and temperature such that the coldest and driest roosts provided initial refuge from disease. These results expand our theoretical framework and provide an empirical basis for determining which host species are likely to be driven extinct while management action is still possible.

Similar estimates of temperature impacts on global wheat yield by three independent methods

Abstract: The potential impact of global temperature change on global crop yield has recently been assessed with different methods. Here we show that grid-based and point-based simulations and statistical regressions (from historic records), without deliberate adaptation or CO 2 fertilization effects, produce similar estimates of temperature impact on wheat yields at global and national scales. With a 1 °C global temperature increase, global wheat yield is projected to decline between 4.1% and 6.4%. Projected relative temperature impacts from different methods were similar for major wheat-producing countries China, India, USA and France, but less so for Russia. Point-based and grid-based simulations, and to some extent the statistical regressions, were consistent in projecting that warmer regions are likely to suffer more yield loss with increasing temperature than cooler regions. By forming a multi-method ensemble, it was possible to quantify 'method uncertainty' in addition to model uncertainty. This significantly improves confidence in estimates of climate impacts on global food security.

De novo assembly of the cattle reference genome with single-molecule sequencing.

Abstract: Author(s): Rosen, Benjamin D; Bickhart, Derek M; Schnabel, Robert D; Koren, Sergey; Elsik, Christine G; Tseng, Elizabeth; Rowan, Troy N; Low, Wai Y; Zimin, Aleksey; Couldrey, Christine; Hall, Richard; Li, Wenli; Rhie, Arang; Ghurye, Jay; McKay, Stephanie D; Thibaud-Nissen, Francoise; Hoffman, Jinna; Murdoch, Brenda M; Snelling, Warren M; McDaneld, Tara G; Hammond, John A; Schwartz, John C; Nandolo, Wilson; Hagen, Darren E; Dreischer, Christian; Schultheiss, Sebastian J; Schroeder, Steven G; Phillippy, Adam M; Cole, John B; Van Tassell, Curtis P; Liu, George; Smith, Timothy PL; Medrano, Juan F | Abstract: BackgroundMajor advances in selection progress for cattle have been made following the introduction of genomic tools over the past 10-12 years. These tools depend upon the Bos taurus reference genome (UMD3.1.1), which was created using now-outdated technologies and is hindered by a variety of deficiencies and inaccuracies.ResultsWe present the new reference genome for cattle, ARS-UCD1.2, based on the same animal as the original to facilitate transfer and interpretation of results obtained from the earlier version, but applying a combination of modern technologies in a de novo assembly to increase continuity, accuracy, and completeness. The assembly includes 2.7 Gb and is g250× more continuous than the original assembly, with contig N50 g25 Mb and L50 of 32. We also greatly expanded supporting RNA-based data for annotation that identifies 30,396 total genes (21,039 protein coding). The new reference assembly is accessible in annotated form for public use.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that improved continuity of assembled sequence warrants the adoption of ARS-UCD1.2 as the new cattle reference genome and that increased assembly accuracy will benefit future research on this species.

Institutional polycentrism, entrepreneurs' social networks, and new venture growth

Abstract: What is the interrelationship among formal institutions, social networks, and new venture growth? Drawing on the theory of institutional polycentrism and social network theory, we examine this question using data on 637 entrepreneurs from four different countries. We find the confluence of weak and inefficient formal institutions to be associated with a larger number of structural holes in entrepreneurial social networks. While the effect of this institutional order on the revenue growth of new ventures is negative, a network's structural holes have a positive effect on revenue growth. Furthermore, the positive effect of structural holes on revenue growth is stronger in an environment with a more adverse institutional order (i.e., weaker and more inefficient institutions). The contributions and implications of these findings are discussed.