Tulsa County Research Articles

First report of the Horse nettle virus infecting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in the United States.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a member of the Solanaceae family, represents one of the most extensively cultivated vegetable species worldwide and traces its origin to western South America (Caruso et al. 2022). In a field survey conducted in 2023 in Bixby, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, distinct symptoms were noted in two plants: one exhibited mottling and cupping of leaves and brown discoloration on leaves, petioles, and stems, while the other displayed a downward curling of leaves. Leaf samples from both symptomatic tomato plants (labelled as K4 and K5) were collected, and total RNA was extracted individually via the TRI Reagent® method (Molecular Research Center Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA). Subsequently, the RNA samples were pooled and subjected to high-throughput sequencing (HTS) on the NextSeq 500/550 high-output kit v2.5 (Illumina, U.S.A.) at the genomic facility, Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK). Total read count of 8,227,020 (average length =150.5 bp) was obtained, trimmed, and de novo assembled using CLC Genomics Workbench v22.0.1 (QIAGEN) and used for BLASTn and BLASTx analysis. Two contigs: 6,375 bp (average coverage 2,915.92, read count 142,538) and 3,564 bp (average coverage 3,035.91, read count 82,370) from the pooled sample showed 88.6% and 96.7% nucleotide identities with RNA 1 (OP292294) and RNA 2 (OP292295) of Horse nettle virus A (HNA-A) isolate MD-1, respectively. Sequences of both partial contigs (RNA 1, accession no. PP063196) and RNA 2, accession no. PP063197) were submitted to GenBank. The HTS data did not reveal any other viral or viroid sequences in these two tomato samples. To further confirm the presence of HNV-A, total RNA from K4 and K5 samples was tested individually by RT-PCR using HNV specific primers (Supplementary Table 1) based on the two partial contig sequences. The expected PCR products (491 bp and 451 bp) were obtained only from the K4 sample and none from the K5 sample. PCR products were extracted from an agarose gel, cloned into the pGEM®-T Easy vector (Promega), and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α cells (New England Bio Labs). Two clones for each PCR product were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. Nucleotide sequence comparisons and BLASTn analysis of 491 bp and 451 bp showed 86% and 97% nucleotide identity with RNA 1 and RNA 2 of HNV-A isolate MD-1 (OP292294 and OP292295), respectively. Additionally, eight more leaf samples from eight different symptomatic tomato plants were collected in the same field and tested by RT-PCR as described above. All eight samples were positive by RT-PCR, but no PCR band was obtained in the total RNA from a healthy tomato leaf used as a control. Sequences from the PCR products were identical to the obtained HTS sequences. Our results confirmed for the first time that HNV-A can infect tomatoes. Currently, HNV-A has been reported to only infect a single weed (Horse nettle, Solanum carolinense) (Zhou et al. 2023). The identification of HNV-A in tomatoes in Oklahoma suggests a potential host shift is of concern for local growers as well as tomato growers worldwide. This shift underscores the urgency for an in-depth investigation into the transmission and host specificity of HNV-A. This is the first report in the United States and the world that HNV-A could infect tomatoes naturally in a grower field.

Risk avoidance, offsetting community effects, and COVID-19: Evidence from an indoor political rally.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deem large indoor gatherings without social distancing the “highest risk” activity for COVID-19 contagion. On June 20, 2020, President Donald J. Trump held his first mass campaign rally following the US coronavirus outbreak at the indoor Bank of Oklahoma arena. In the weeks following the event, numerous high-profile national news outlets reported that the Trump rally was “more than likely” the cause of a coronavirus surge in Tulsa County based on time series data. This study is the first to rigorously explore the impacts of this event on social distancing and COVID-19 spread. First, using data from SafeGraph Inc, we show that while non-resident visits to census block groups hosting the Trump event grew by approximately 25 percent, there was no decline in net stay-at-home behavior in Tulsa County, reflecting important offsetting behavioral effects. Then, using data on COVID-19 cases from the CDC and a synthetic control design, we find little evidence that COVID-19 grew more rapidly in Tulsa County, its border counties, or in the state of Oklahoma than each’s estimated counterfactual during the five-week post-treatment period we observe. Difference-in-differences estimates further provide no evidence that COVID-19 rates grew faster in counties that drew relatively larger shares of residents to the event. We conclude that offsetting risk-related behavioral responses to the rally—including voluntary closures of restaurants and bars in downtown Tulsa, increases in stay-at-home behavior, displacement of usual activities of weekend inflows, and smaller-than-expected crowd attendance—may be important mechanisms.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11166-021-09359-4.

Head Start, two-generation ESL services, and parent engagement

Innovation in English as a Second Language (ESL) services to support Latino immigrant parents and their children is needed, and this study examines a novel program that suggests future directions for the field. The Community Action Project of Tulsa County, Oklahoma’s two-generation ESL program recruits parents of children enrolled in Head Start and delivers an ESL curriculum that is contextualized to child development and children’s early school experiences. This mixed methods study explores the progress and the perspectives of parents and staff in this ESL program over two semesters (n = 35). Among enrollees in each semester, parents had high levels of completion (83% in semester 1; 70% in semester 2) and class attendance (94% in semester 1; 88% in semester 2). Yet, only about half (46%) of the parents completed both semesters 1 and 2. Parents who completed either semester 1 or semesters 1 and 2 did exhibit advancement in their English language skills, moving on average from beginner ESL levels to high intermediate levels based on National Reporting System benchmarks. Data from focus groups with parents and staff suggest that involvement in a two-generation ESL program can support parents’ focus on their children, including: (a) alignment of parent curriculum with child development, (b) bidirectional parent and child learning, and (c) an improved sense of parent agency with their children’s schooling and other child-related domains. Implications for future two-generation ESL programming are discussed.

Presence of Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M. Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep (Kudzu Vine) in Tulsa County, Oklahoma

Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M. Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep (Fabaceae; kudzu) is a deciduous perennial vine native to China. An invasive species that has spread throughout much of the southeastern United States, kudzu covers large open areas, overtops forests, and causes significant ecological and economic damage. Oklahoma has seen a relatively minor impact from kudzu, and previous research indicates a limited (less than 0.04 hectare) presence in Tulsa County. We describe a previously undocumented population of kudzu covering over 6.5 hectares in Tulsa County. We determine the age of this population and its rate of expansion. Documenting and mitigating kudzu populations will likely become increasingly important to protect Oklahoma’s native biodiversity.

A Study of the Flowering Plants of Tulsa County, Oklahoma, Exclusive of the Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes

A taxonomic study of the flowering plants of Tulsa County, Oklahoma, exclusive of the grasses, sedges, and rushes, was made from 1955 to 1959. A total of 585 species, representing 99 families and 335 genera, were identified and are on file in the herbarium of the University of Tulsa. The largest families in order of number of species are: Compositae [Asteraceae], 110 species; Leguminosae [Fabaceae], 50 species; Euphorbiaceae, 22 species; Cruciferae [Brassicaceae], 21 species; Rosaceae, 19 species; Scrophulariaceae [Linderniaceae, Orobanchaceae, Phrymaceae, Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae], 18 species; Labiateae [Lamiaceae], 16 species; Polygonaceae, 16 species; and Onagraceae, 15 species. The number of plants found is comparable to similar collections in Muskogee County by Little (1938) and in Pontotoc County by McCoy (1958). The plant list of Tulsa County may be increased by further study. Editor’s Note: Where nomenclature has been updated using ITIS-Integrated Taxonomic Information Service ( http://www.itis.gov ), the revised name is in brackets [ ], as are other updates.

Nonrandom Weather-Related Mortality in a Purple Martin (Progne subis) Roost

Abstract Catastrophic weather can affect individuals unequally and lead to episodic selection, but the effects of weather events are rarely documented. In August 2015, a nighttime thunderstorm led to the deaths of hundreds of purple martins (Progne subis) roosting in downtown Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. We compared samples of birds dying to those that survived, and we found nonrandom mortality based on age and sex. Yearling females were overrepresented among the dead, and juveniles were overrepresented among the survivors. The results could reflect differences in where birds were in the roost, and they suggest the potential for age- or sex-based selection on perch preference, dominance, or migratory phenology.

What Do Clients Achieve in Drug/DUI Court? Examining Intended and Unintended Outcomes

ABSTRACTCompared to a growing number of quantitative studies that focus on evaluating drug/DUI court process (e.g., retention) and outcomes (e.g., reducing recidivism), very few studies qualitatively and systematically examine clients' perceptions and experiences in these programs. Based on content analysis of 229 letters written by clients to Tulsa County DUI and drug programs in Oklahoma, this study examines the potential (mis)match between the stated official goals of the program and major achievements and progress self-reported by clients. Our analysis shows that in addition to abstinence, compliance, and techniques for success, a significant portion of clients' achievements went beyond the administrative expectations. Rather, the program transformed clients' lives in a holistic way and affected diverse aspects of their lives. These findings should encourage the legislature and practitioners to look beyond drug/DUI court supervision/discipline in evaluating clients' progress and to incorporate elements reported by clients in building a more successful program.

An Information Needs Assessment of School Nurses in a Metropolitan County

ABSTRACTSchool nurses are an integral though often underserved population within the health care and education professions. To develop an effective outreach program for this group, an academic health sciences library conducted an information needs assessment of public school nurses in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. An online survey collected perceptions regarding information needs and behaviors, and a focus group session further explored the survey results. The assessment revealed that school nurses frequently require specific types of information to perform their responsibilities and face challenges accessing and integrating research into their daily practice. This article presents the implications and results of this assessment.

A Century of Induced Earthquakes in Oklahoma?

Seismicity rates have increased sharply since 2009 in the central and eastern United States, with especially high rates of activity in the state of Oklahoma. Growing evidence indicates that many of these events are induced, primarily by injection of wastewater in deep disposal wells. The upsurge in activity has raised two questions: What is the background rate of tectonic earthquakes in Oklahoma? How much has the rate varied throughout historical and early instrumental times? In this article, we show that (1) seismicity rates since 2009 surpass previously observed rates throughout the twentieth century; (2) several lines of evidence suggest that most of the significant earthquakes in Oklahoma during the twentieth century were likely induced by oil production activities, as they exhibit statistically significant temporal and spatial correspondence with disposal wells, and intensity measurements for the 1952 El Reno earthquake and possibly the 1956 Tulsa County earthquake follow the pattern observed in other induced earthquakes; and (3) there is evidence for a low level of tectonic seismicity in southeastern Oklahoma associated with the Ouachita structural belt. The 22 October 1882 Choctaw Nation earthquake, for which we estimate M w 4.8, occurred in this zone. Online Material: A discussion of historical earthquakes and populations in Oklahoma, figures of intensity and earthquake location maps and a cumulative count of earthquakes in Oklahoma, and tables of accounts and felt reports.

High Risk Neighborhoods with Increased Poverty, Lack Nutritional Resources in Tulsa County

Background: This document reviews factual evidence presented by other organizations to establish barriers related to poverty and nutritional resources. Methods: An investigation using previous U.S. Census Bureau data and other external community reports analyzing the trends within specific zip codes. Learning Objective: Recognize the factors that influence nutritional disparities, while acknowledging the lack of inadequate resources. Conclusion: Families residing in these zip codes lacked appropriate nutritional resources and incur a higher prevalence of poverty.

A Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the Mary K. Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa County, Oklahoma

This paper reports the results of an inventory of the vascular flora of the Mary K. Oxley Nature Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A total of 342 taxa from 75 families and 237 genera were collected from four main vegetation types. The families Asteraceae and Poaceae were the largest, with 49 and 42 taxa, respectively. Fifty-eight exotic taxa were found, representing 17% of the total flora. Twelve taxa tracked by the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory were present.

Utilization of Various Data Sources to Locate West Nile Clusters in Tulsa County

By combining information gathered from several agencies concerned with maintaining the health of Tulsa County residents. West Nile clusters were able to be located. Once the areas were located, key player agencies were identified to aid in the response, recommendations and evaluations for future action.

Testing the Gender Effect in Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Though research on drug and driving under the influence (DUI) courts increased significantly in the past two decades, very little has focused on women’s participation in these programs and how gender may have influenced clients’ performance, despite the call of feminist criminologists that entry into crime and substance abuse is different for women. Based on data collected from Tulsa County DUI and Drug programs in Oklahoma, this study examines the impact of gender on clients’ performance in both programs. In addition to identifying associations between clients’ gender and demographics, criminal history, addiction problems, and other medical and mental health problems, this study explores gender’s impact on both program progress (e.g., program length, use of sanctions, relapse) and final outcome (termination vs. graduation). Data show that different factors are associated with female entry into drug and DUI courts and successful completion of the program compared with men, which calls for gender tailored treatment for women.

Is It Legal Representation or Clients? : An Empirical Testing of Clients’ Performance and Their Legal Representation in Tulsa County Drug and DUI Programs

The importance of legal representation to a criminal defendant is widely accepted, but the quality of government-provided counsels (particularly public defenders) has continuously been questioned. Based on data from Tulsa County DUI and Drug programs in Oklahoma, the authors tested the impact of legal representation (public defender versus private counsel) on clients’ performance in program, measured by plea terms and program outcome. Initial bivariate analyses showed disparate effect of legal representation, as clients represented by private counsels received better plea terms and fared better in program outcome. This effect, however, disappeared once other variables were controlled. Instead, factors closely related to the clients themselves (e.g., demographic features and their criminal behaviors) significantly impacted their program performance.

Social-Emotional Effects of Early Childhood Education Programs in Tulsa

This article assesses the effects of Tulsa, Oklahoma's early childhood education programs on social-emotional outcomes, examining teacher ratings of children's behavior from the Adjustment Scales for Preschool Intervention and a measure of attentiveness using fixed effects regressions with propensity score matching. The sample includes 2,832 kindergarten students in 2006, of whom 1,318 participated in the Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) pre-K program and 363 participated in the CAP of Tulsa County Head Start program the previous year. Program participation was associated with lower timidity and higher attentiveness for TPS pre-K alumni and a marginally significant reduction in timidity for Head Start alumni. Results were similar for the free lunch-eligible subsample. We conclude that high-quality, school-based preschool programs can enhance social-emotional development.

Oklahoma allows limited medication recycling

Under a program that started in January and has environmental and economic appeal, 19 Oklahoma pharmacies have the state’s permission to dispense prescription medications that had been dispensed earlier by other pharmacies. The Unused Prescription Drug Program for Oklahoma’s Medically Indigent allows nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to send unused medications, including those from deceased patients, to pharmacies that then dispense those drugs to Oklahomans in need. But those medications must be in the original, sealed unit dose package or be an unused injectable product. Bryan H. Potter, executive director of the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy, traced the program’s origin to a group of retired Tulsa physicians, a supportive state representative, a Tulsa County clinic that served residents in need of medications but not poor enough to obtain them through Medicaid, and a similar county-run clinic in Oklahoma City. These clinics’ pharmacies either sold the medications at cost to indigent patients or dispensed a limited variety of drugs without charge, he said.

Ecological Factors Affecting the Distribution of Woody Vegetation Near the Arkansas River, Tulsa County

Ecological factors affecting plant distribution were studied over different rock strata and slope exposures above the Arkansas River, Tulsa County. Here the Wann sandstone caprock is underlain by the Iola limestone formation. The vegetation was analyzed taxonomically by a complete collection throughout one growing season. Belt transects crossing rock strata on all slope exposures permitted computation of parameters summarized by an Importance Percentage for each woody species. Differences in species populations and degree of mesophytism exist on the slope exposures. Sandstone upland dominants are post and blackjack oaks. Smoke-tree, rare in Oklahoma, and chinquapin oak are closely associated in limestone microhabitats, where each occupies a separate niche. The smoke-tree, of disjunct distribution, appears to be a relict of widespread occurrence in past geologic periods. Its survival with limited ecological amplitude is due to the continuance of the microhabitats to which it is so well adapted.

Costs of Coloniality and the Effect of Colony Size on Reproductive Success in Purple Martins

We measured how fighting, mate-guarding, ectoparasitism, and annual reproductive success varied with colony size in Purple Martins (Progne subis) in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, in 1997. Fights bird -1 hr -1 changed significantly with colony size, peaking in intermediate-sized colonies. Intensity of mate-guarding by males increased significantly with colony size. Ectoparasitism of nestlings by the martin mite (Dermanyssus prognephilus) increased significantly with colony size, but nestling body mass declined with mite load only for broods of six nestlings. Reproductive success did not vary significantly with colony size. Purple Martin colonies probably do not routinely reach large enough sizes for the costs of fighting or ectoparasitism to be important. These birds apparently do not experience direct benefits of coloniality, and groups likely form in response to limited nesting sites. The pattern in reproductive success suggests that Purple Martin colonies represent ideal free distributions of birds with respect to resource availability in each habitat patch, and mean fitness of birds in different patches is similar.

Preserving Access With Dignity for the Elderly: Tulsa's VIP Program

There is an escalating trend toward federal- and state-legislated Medicare mandatory assignment. Already, six states have mandatory assignment regulations and similar laws are pending in 12 to 15 more states. In Oklahoma, although only 36% of the medical doctors are participating physicians, we voluntarily accepted assignment of benefits on 70% of Part B Medicare claims in 1990. Believing that voluntary agreements are preferable to governmental edicts, the Very Important Person (VIP) program was established in 1986 by the Tulsa (Okla) County Medical Society. It has since been adopted by the Oklahoma State Medical Association and received official recognition from the American Medical Association (Chicago, Ill). When used properly, the VIP program enables physicians to accurately identify individuals who need special consideration in obtaining their medical care because of limited resources. In other words, it serves to differentiate those financially needy Medicare patients from those who are as able as the

Transitional Desmoinesian to Missourian Cyclic Deposits on Opposite Shores of Arkoma Seaway: ABSTRACT

Distinctive differences between Late Desmoinesian to early Missourian cyclic deposits on opposite shores of the Pennsylvanian Arkoma seaway were noted during outcrop mapping in eastern Oklahoma. The north shore deposits conform to the classical Mid-Continent Pennsylvanian cyclothem. A regressive blanket sandstone is succeeded in turn by underclay, coal, and carbonaceous shale, transgressive calcareous shale and/or limestone, black fissile shale with phosphate nodules, and finally, gray shale with calcareous to sideritic inclusions that becomes upward increasingly silty to sandy. The south shore deposits that border the Ouachita and Arbuckle uplifts in southeastern Oklahoma reveal a more symmetrical cycle than for the preceding. Both transgressive and regressive sandstones are present, and, although exceedingly lenticular, converge northward to enclose a fluviatile tongue of red beds and conglomeratic lenses. The subjacent and superjacent transgressive marine wedges contain fossiliferous gray to black shales. Limestones are usually thin and developed near tops and bottoms of shale sequences. Seaway deposits are much more variable. High sea-level phase is characterized by subtidal gray shale with subordinate bioturbated siltstone to sandstone. A low sea-level phase commonly consists of intertonguing north and south shore deposits. Effects of eustatic oscillations of sea level were imprinted on a episodically subsiding depositional trough. Many stratigraphic horizons that reflect sea-level reversals are useful for regional correlations. Application of this concept to the polycyclic Holdenville formation of Hughes County indicates its northward continuation as the Memorial shale and the overlying Jenks and Tulsa sandstones and associated shales of Tulsa County previously miscorrelated with the Seminole Formation. In the subsurface these sandstones become the oil productive Cleveland sandstones. These correlations are supported by fossil determinations. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1495------------