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This article presents a descriptive case study of a leadership study abroad course in rural Zimbabwe, developed through a unique partnership between Oklahoma State University's Hargis Leadership Institute and OSU alumna Dr. Tererai Trent, a globally recognized humanitarian and leader. The course integrates pre-departure preparation, in-country immersion, and post-travel reflection, centering cultural humility, ethical leadership, and decolonial practice. Drawing on student journals, faculty...

Since the introduction of center pivot irrigation (CPI) technologies in the 1950s, there has been a precipitous increase in irrigated cropland in the U.S. High Plains. While CPI has helped "drought proof" agriculture operations, thereby enhancing food security and permitting the expansion of agriculture operations in this semi-arid, drought-prone region, it has also contributed to groundwater depletion, which now threatens the very livelihoods of those who have become dependent on these...

Oklahoma grapevine production interests are on the rise, however very little is known about the occurrence of major grapevine-infecting viruses in the state. To address this knowledge gap, a total of 85 grapevine samples were collected from eight vineyards across six counties in Oklahoma during the spring and fall of 2024. Total RNA extracts from each sample were assayed for 14 major viruses by RT-PCR, including grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1), GLRaV-2, GLRaV-3, GLRaV-4,...

In Alzheimer's disease (AD) models, ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons are intrinsically hyperexcitable, yet release less dopamine and exhibit dysfunctional downstream signaling. Synaptic transmission is broadly disrupted in AD, but it is not known to what extent excitatory and inhibitory inputs to the VTA are altered. Here we describe enhanced synaptic excitation in dopamine neurons from male and female 3xTg-AD mice (an amyloid + tau-driven model). AMPAR-mediated excitatory input was...