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Showcase Abstract 2020

What pedagogical materials afford students of Spanish as a foreign language with opportunities to develop communicative competence?

What pedagogical materials afford students of Spanish as a foreign language with opportunities to develop communicative competence?

Primary author: Preyadarshini Panday Shukla
Co-author(s): Anne Marie Guerrettaz; Nausica Marcos Miguel; Collin Shull
Faculty sponsor: Anne Marie Guerrettaz

Primary college/unit: College of Education
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Pedagogical materials (e.g., textbooks, PowerPoints, etc.) play an essential role in the teaching and learning of Spanish as a second language (L2) (Tarone, 2014). Many L2 teaching materials aim — in theory — to promote students’ development of communicative competence (Savignon 2017). Nonetheless, few studies have examined how pedagogical materials (Guerrettaz & Johnson, 2013) foster or inhibit students’ development of communicative competence.
This study’s goal was to identify pedagogical materials that: 1) afforded Spanish L2 learners opportunities to develop communicative competence and 2) those that did not — using the sociocultural framework of affordances (van Lier, 2004). This concept acknowledges broader classroom dynamics that influence the learning outcomes of materials: students’ and instructors’ uses of and responses to materials are complex and unpredictable. Fifteen focus groups, five teacher interviews, and fieldnotes from 45 recorded classroom lessons were analyzed qualitatively.
Results revealed that the following materials — frequently used by two expert instructors —afforded opportunities for communicative learning: 1) information gap handouts, 2) process-oriented sets of writing guides for in-class journaling, and 3) games (e.g., Taboo). Additionally, 4) music recordings were variably used with regards to students’ development of communicative competence: sometimes music was effectively used, but in other classrooms ineffectively or not at all. These differences are partially attributed to instructors’ divergent perceptions of music as a material. Lastly, many students paradoxically chose 5) Kahoot, a digital tool, as their favorite material, while acknowledging its failure to promote communicative learning. Findings have implications for L2 classroom practice and teacher development.

Interaction-Driven Dynamics of a Bose-Einstein Condensate in an Optical Lattice

Interaction-Driven Dynamics of a Bose-Einstein Condensate in an Optical Lattice

Primary author: Md Kamrul Hoque Ome
Co-author(s): Peter Engels; Sean Mossman; Thomas Bersano
Faculty sponsor: Peter Engels

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Ultracold clouds of atoms, with temperatures near absolute zero, placed into carefully designed laser fields form an excellent tool for probing the dynamics of interacting, quantum mechanical particles. A laser field shaped in the form of a standing wave provides a periodic array of traps for the atoms, leading to a band structure. In this work, we investigate the existence of peculiar loops in these bands that are predicted to occur for sufficiently strong interactions between the atoms. In our experiments, we apply laser cooling and related techniques to create an ultracold ensemble of atoms called Bose-Einstein condensate. By ramping up laser fields and dynamically changing their frequencies, the band structures can be analyzed. The experiments reveal a non-exponential tunneling of atoms between the individual sites of the trapping potential which is connected to the predicted loop structures. This is a significant finding for this area of research because non-exponential tunneling has not been observed before. In conclusion, this work provides a clear demonstration of the power of ultracold atoms for investigating complex quantum mechanical dynamics.

Does Interactive Advertising Always Effective? An Experiment on the Effects of Interactivity of Advertisement, Task Involvement, and Product Congruity

Does Interactive Advertising Always Effective? An Experiment on the Effects of Interactivity of Advertisement, Task Involvement, and Product Congruity

Primary author: Di Mu
Faculty sponsor: Alexis Tan

Primary college/unit: Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

New technologies are creating new opportunities for the advertising industry. As interactivity – inherent in the hearts of the Internet – becomes a more natural way for manufacturers to connect and communicate with their consumers, some scholars and industry experts believes that interactivity is the key to the success of advertising: the presentation of interactive ads has multiple layers compared to traditional ads, which makes it possible for users to actively choose what they need, in turn, enhance the ads’ effectiveness. This strategy supposes to turn passive viewers into active participants, however, due to the annoying nature of advertising, does interacting actually increase its persuasive outcomes? Some researchers said “yes”, while others stand on the opposite side. In addition, according to the LC4MP model, when individuals are highly involved in a task, they tend to allocate more cognitive resources to the goal-related primary task, and thus less attentional capacity will be available for processing the secondary tasks, like watching ads. Also, there has been a debate on whether congruity between product type and the context in which ads appear may influence product memory. Therefore, this study is aimed at simulating a real-life scenario and measure the effectiveness of interactive advertisements. In order to answer the research questions, a 2 (interactivity: high vs. low) x 2 (task involvement: high vs. low) x 2 (product congruity: congruent vs. incongruent) fully factorial, between-subjects online experiment will be conducted. This study is in the process of submitting the IRB.

Outside director protection, reduced monitoring, and capital structure decisions

Outside director protection, reduced monitoring, and capital structure decisions

Primary author: Yoonsoo Nam
Faculty sponsor: Douglas (DJ) Fairhurst

Primary college/unit: Carson College of Business
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

I assess the effects of increased outside director protection from shareholder lawsuits on debt-to-assets ratio of U.S. industrial firms. Outside directors are non-employees of the firm. As increased director protection is considered to decrease directors’ monitoring efforts, it may reduce debt because mangers prefer having less debt to protect their undiversified human capital and would likely decrease debt in response to reduced monitoring. However, increased director protection may raise debt because firms could use debt as a controlling mechanism to counterbalance reduced monitoring because debt pressures managers to work hard to pay principal and interest payments. This study is important as it highlights this substituting effect of debt.
I use the staggered enactment of the Limited Liability Statutes by all 50 U.S. states between 1986 and 2002 to measure increased director protection. As different states enacted the laws during different time periods, this setting helps draw stronger causal inferences. I measure firm-level characteristics using Compustat database. I implement a difference-in-differences research design.
I find that the laws increase debt-to-assets ratio suggesting that firms raise debt to offset increased director protection. Specifically, firms where debt is more effective controlling mechanism, the interests of managers and shareholders are more closely aligned, managers have more incentives to maximize their human capital, and that are less financially constrained increase debt. Finally, I find that firms raising debt in response to increased director protection engage in activities likely raising firm value while firms that do not increase debt engage in activities likely reducing firm value.

Service Robots: Boon or Bane?

Service Robots: Boon or Bane?

Primary author: Pavan Munaganti
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Babu John Mariadoss, Dr. Andrew Perkins

Primary college/unit: Carson College of Business
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Until a few years ago, robot operated cafés and restaurants would have been seen as too futuristic and limited to works of fiction. However, with rapidly evolving technology, this no longer is the case. Service providers across several industries are now employing humanoid robots as frontline employees. For instance, Pizza Hut has teamed up with MasterCard and SoftBank to introduce robot waiters in its restaurants in Asia that are capable of taking orders and engaging with customers (Curtis, 2016). While nascent, robots as frontline employees in restaurants, hotels and other service settings appears to be gaining steam. In fact, in countries like Singapore, where a shortage of manpower in the housekeeping, front office, and food and beverage industries is a persistent problem, the government is encouraging small and medium sized enterprises to use robotics to help boost productivity (Tan, 2017).
While the real-world examples suggest a level of comfort with robotic frontline employees from a company and governmental perspective, the impact on customer is less clear. We contribute to existing literature by investigating whether humanoid service robots are in fact a bane or boon to service providers. In five studies, we find that humanoid robot (versus human) frontline employees elicit lower levels of perceived warmth and higher levels of perceived creepiness amongst customers, ultimately resulting in more negative perceptions of service quality, service satisfaction, reduced tipping (gratuity), diminished return intentions, and higher willingness to spread negative word of mouth.

Design and modeling of a microfluidic platform for portable electrochemical analysis

Design and modeling of a microfluidic platform for portable electrochemical analysis

Primary author: Daniel Molina
Faculty sponsor: Cornelius Ivory

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

A microfluidic platform for electrochemical analysis of flowing solutions was developed, consisting of an acrylic chip and three removable microelectrodes, each housed in a high-resistance plastic tube. The electrodes can be removed independently for cleaning, polishing or replacement. The sensing microelectrode is a 100-µm diameter platinum disk, located flush with the upper face of a 150 µm x 20 µm x 3 cm microchannel, smaller than previously reported for this type of electrodes, and with a total volume of 90 nanoliters, which minimizes the size of the samples required. The platform was evaluated by oxidizing a potassium ferrocyanide solution, a well-known electrochemical probe, at the sensing electrode. The electrical current signal increases with increasing applied potential until it reaches a limiting current. The value of this limiting current increases with the flow rate of the solution, so a better signal/noise ratio can be achieved at higher flow rates.
Numerical models can help us make predictions and serve as design aids without having to iterate physical prototypes. While microdisk channel electrodes have been simulated numerically before using a finite difference method in an ideal 3D geometry, here we predict the limiting current using finite elements in COMSOL Multiphysics®, which allowed us to easily explore variations in the microchannel geometry that have not previously been considered in the literature. Experimental and simulated currents showed the same trend but differed by 41% in simulations of the ideal geometry, which improved when channel and electrode imperfections were included.

“I Feel Proud Because I Made Them Stop Fighting”: How Do Adolescent Friendships Create and Constrain Masculinities?

“I Feel Proud Because I Made Them Stop Fighting”: How Do Adolescent Friendships Create and Constrain Masculinities?

Primary author: Emma McMain
Faculty sponsor: Zoe Higheagle Strong

Primary college/unit: College of Education
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

The notion of “boyhood in crisis” circulates through educational spaces, perpetuating the ideas that boys are physically aggressive, “emotionally illiterate,” and lack intimate friendships. To complicate and challenge this crisis model, there is a need for more research that explores masculinities as complex, relational, and performative. This study, framed by feminist poststructural theory, considers how adolescent boys shape one another’s masculinities when discouraging physical fights. Critical discourse analysis techniques were applied to four interviews to highlight the “discourses” (repeated and dynamic patterns of words, thoughts, images, and actions, such as a discourse of men as instinctive fighters) that create and are created by performances of masculinity. I also considered the discourses that did not appear from these boys’ stories but could work as points of resistance to dominant forms of masculinity that uphold a binary of “reason” over “emotion” and individual “choice” over more collectivist beliefs.

This project complicates what counts as “progress” in studies of peer aggression: masculinities constrained the range of ways in which boys could resist fights, yet friendship emerged as an important shaper of identity. This research calls for moving beyond a discourse of “good choices” (which puts the responsibility of ceasing violence on boys alone) to explore how adolescents are simultaneously agentic and constrained by their social worlds.

Studies on fruit and hard cider chemistry from Eastern WA grown English fruit

Studies on fruit and hard cider chemistry from Eastern WA grown English fruit

Primary author: D. Scott Mattinson

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Studies are underway at WSU-Pullman in the postharvest laboratory aimed at unveiling a first analysis of Eastern Washington cider apple fruit chemistry as a means for hard cider makers. The hard cider industry in the USA and WA state steadily increases, as much as 40% since 2008 (Galinato et al., 2016). Apples under study include a desert variety known for its tartness, ‘Improved Red McIntosh’, and 3 English varieties, ‘Dabinette’, ‘Golden Russet’, and ‘Major’. Each of the English varieties are known as high tannin containing fruit. The study revealed that ‘IRM’ had high %TA at 0.62 with low brix, whereas the English apples were 0.248:14.5 for ‘Dabinette’, 0.521:15.0 for ‘Major’, and 0.97:17.9 for ‘Golden Russet’. Blends of ‘NRM’ to English juice, each at 1:1 reveled that the hard ciders blended with more ‘sharp’ chemistry, the highest %TA was ‘IRM’:’Golden Russet’ at 0.89% TA. This cider also had the higher brix at 7.6.
Tannin levels for each juice and each blended cider were analyzed by the Porter assay (Porter et al., 1986). Tannin data revealed that English cider apples grown in Eastern WA due in fact have higher tannin levels than desert varieties, up to 0.139% in ‘Major’, 0.059% in ‘Golden Russet’, and 0.039% in ‘Dabinette’; ‘NRM’ at 0.016%. Tannin carried into the fermented cider, as ‘NRM’ blended with ‘Dabinette’ was highest at 0.045%.

Impact identification on concrete panels using a surface-bonded smart piezoelectric module (SPM) system

Impact identification on concrete panels using a surface-bonded smart piezoelectric module (SPM) system

Primary author: Ayumi Manawadu
Faculty sponsor: Pizhong Qiao

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Structural damage assessment after a truck/barge collision is crucial to preserve the integrity of aging concrete bridges, even if there is no apparent damage on the surface. However, given the size of bridges, it would be expensive to analyze the whole structure at once. Therefore, the location and magnitude of the impact should be determined promptly to identify critical areas that require further damage assessment. Such systems help to determine timely corrective action to avoid catastrophic failure. Nevertheless, there is no in-situ cost-effective monitoring technique to carry out this task. Thus, wave-based piezoelectric sensor systems are a promising alternative for real-time impact detection of concrete structures.

Surface-bonded smart piezoelectric modules (SPM) are used to investigate the impact response on concrete panels regarding impact location, impact force, projectile mass, and projectile velocity. Theoretical models based on a spring-mass system and Reed’s model are developed and then validated using numerical and experimental investigations. The main parameters used in this approach are the time of flight and the amplitude of the propagating waves.

The method successfully determined the impact location and magnitude of impact, with an error of 6.40% and 2.73%, respectively. Further, the mass and velocity of the projectile were also successfully computed. Such an evaluation helps to prioritize impact events and to recognize more effective repair techniques. The results demonstrate that the surface-bonded SPMs provide a basis for the development of a cost-effective in-situ real-time non-destructive technique to analyze the impact-response of concrete members.

Grain Elevators & Railroads: The Building of the Frontier

Grain Elevators & Railroads: The Building of the Frontier

Primary author: Elisha Madison
Co-author(s): David Bolingbroke
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jeff Sanders

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Grain is a foundational resource for the world, in this past year alone, 2,121 million metric tons of grain were produced and used. Whitman County is one of the top producers . . . To produce this amount of grain, grain elevators and silos are vital in storing and sorting. But these elevators are bereft without the trains to transport the grain to various states, or ports to be shipped around the globe. The local economy and settlement patterns were shaped in part by the rapid growth of the railroads from 1860 to 1897, which changed the landscape of the western frontier. This rapid industrial progression would eventually fail as the railroad dissipated.

This mapping project, focusing solely in Washington, specific in Whitman County, pinpoints the areas historical grain silos, flour mills, and railroads, in order to present a microhistory on how these sites became central to nation building, as towns were developed to meet the needs of a grain heavy economy. Using ArcGIS and photographs from the Dillman Collection, this project explores change over time through the mapping of original flat houses, to grain elevators/silos created in 1842, to their evolution; we see how people settled as they moved across the United States, and how the railroad and agriculture are tied irrevocably together.

Each signifier on the map, provides locations and history of these sites, allowing this to be an interactive map for everyone to increase understandings of the Pacific Northwest’s journey from frontier to advanced metropolis.