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Consumer acceptance of a ready-to-eat meal during storage using a home-use test

Consumer acceptance of a ready-to-eat meal during storage using a home-use test

Primary Author: Maria Montero

Faculty Sponsor: Carolyn Ross

 

Primary College/Unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

A home-use test (HUT) is a method on which a product is consumed in-home under common daily use circumstances. One product that benefits from being evaluated in-home are ready-to-eat meals (RTE). RTE must be processed so they are microbially safe, and a novel method to accomplish this is microwave-assisted-pasteurization (MAPS). Therefore, this study determined consumers’ acceptance of MAPS-processed jambalaya and control through an on-line HUT over a 12-week storage period. Paralleling the HUT, an online auction determined consumers’ willingness to pay. Consumers (n=50) evaluated MAPS-processed jambalaya stored at 2?C and a control (cooked-frozen jambalaya stored at -31oC) after 2, 8 and 12 weeks of storage. Acceptance of different sensory attributes (aroma, appearance, flavor, texture) was measured for both jambalaya samples using an online survey. After tasting, consumers participated in an online auction to bid on the meal they previously sampled- this was used to estimate their willingness to pay for each meal.

Results showed that the processing method (MAPS vs. control) didn’t affect the measured sensory attributes. No significant sensory changes were observed in most of the tested attributes of the jambalaya samples due to storage time; only flavor liking decreased over time. For the online auction, the bid mean values ranged from $3.48-3.74 for the MAPS-processed jambalaya and from $3.33-3.56 for the control, similar to the price of commercially available jambalaya meals. Using a HUT for evaluating consumers’ acceptance of MAPS-processed jambalaya seems like an effective way of testing acceptance of an RTE in a more realistic environment.

 

The influence of structure locations on wildfire perimeters.

The influence of structure locations on wildfire perimeters.

Primary Author: Joshua Olsen

Faculty Sponsor: Jonathan Yoder

 

Primary College/Unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

PRINCIPAL TOPIC

Wildfires suppression in the United States has cost an average of $1.8 billion annually over the past 10 years and wildfire damages have frequently exceeded 10 times that amount. A major reason for the extreme cost of wildfires is the presence of man-made structures.

 

Despite the large associated cost, the influence that structures have on wildfire spread has yet to be evaluated. We address this gap by analyzing structure density around fire perimeters to understand the relationship between structures and wildfire spread.

 

METHODS

Using an innovative dataset we evaluate structure presence around wildfires at a finer scale than has previously been possible. We analyze the present of structures per 1,000 acres across a 32 year timespan in the Western United States.

 

RESULTS/IMPLICATIONS

We find that a disproportionate number of structures reside in a 120 meter bandwidth around fire perimeters. We also find that structure density is highest in the first 30 meters outside of fire perimeters, suggesting that structures are more likely to be found immediately outside fire perimeters than inside fire perimeters. Structure locations are determined prior to fire ignitions which implies that structure locations influence final fire perimeters.

This trend is consistent across all 11 Western United States. This finding has implications for land development policy as well as policies governing prioritization for firefighting resources. For example, our results suggest that current fire suppression is largely guided by the presence of structures. This implies that structure protection may be prioritized over minimizing fire growth.

 

Influence of increased CO2 on mortality of Varroa destructor during the indoor storage of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies

Influence of increased CO2 on mortality of Varroa destructor during the indoor storage of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies

Primary Author: Stephen Onayemi

Faculty Sponsor: Brandon Hopkins

 

Primary College/Unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Indoor storage of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies during winter months has been practiced in cold climates for decades. Evidence from a recent study showed that conditions during storage could lead to a decrease in the levels of pathogen prevalence in colonies. Varroa is considered one of the most significant threats to colony health and survival, and as such, it is a major contributor to winter mortality and virus transmission in honey bees. An investigation on the effects of increased CO2 on the mortality of Varroa destructor during indoor storage of honey bees was carried out. Eight-frame single deep colonies (n=16) were held in two environmental chambers (both at 4 C) with one set at 8.5% CO2 while the other at normal atmospheric CO2. Each week during the experiment dead/falling mites were collected from the bottom of each colony and counted. At the end of the 62-day experiment, the surviving colonies were treated with a miticide to collect any remaining mites. Mite mortality was calculated by dividing the number of mites collected weekly by the total number of mites collected for each colony. A significant difference in mite mortality was found in colonies held at 8.5% CO2 (73%) in comparison with colonies held at normal atmospheric CO2 (51%). This study demonstrates that increased CO2 during an indoor storage period could increase mite mortality and in turn, reduce virus transmission and improve honey bee health coming out of the winter months.

 

Differential expression of the rhoptry associated protein -1a in Theileria equi; Implications for host cell invasion

Differential expression of the rhoptry associated protein -1a in Theileria equi; Implications for host cell invasion

Primary Author: Cynthia Onzere

Faculty Sponsor: Carlos Suarez

 

Primary College/Unit: College of Veterinary Medicine

Category: Medical and Life Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Principal Topic

Theileria equi (T. equi) is one of the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis, a severe tick-transmitted disease that affects all equid species. Presently, there is no vaccine for the control of the parasite. T. equi is an Apicomplexan organism characterized by the presence of secretory organelles, such as the rhoptries, on the anterior end that are essential for invasion and establishment of the parasite within the host cell. Rhoptry proteins have been shown to be important in the attachment of several apicomplexan parasites to the host cell during invasion. Despite their functional importance, the pattern of expression and potential of rhoptry proteins as vaccine targets in T. equi remain unexplored.

Method

We evaluated the expression of a putative T. equi rhoptry protein known as the rhoptry associated protein-1a (RAP-1a) in the parasite’s invasive stages in horses. RAP-1a was selected because it is widely conserved among the closely related Babesia and Theileria parasites.

Results/implications

Our findings indicate that RAP-1a is expressed in the merozoite stage of development that invades red blood cells (erythrocytes) but it’s not expressed in the sporozoite stage that invades peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This indicates that T. equi RAP-1a could be important for invasion of erythrocytes and could therefore be a marker for pathogenicity because the symptomatic stage of T. equi infection is associated with the intra-erythrocytic stage of the parasite’s development. Future work will be focused on defining the functional relevance of RAP-1a in T. equi and its role in eliciting protective immune responses.

 

Performance evaluation of high barrier metal-oxide coated polymeric films intended for in-package thermally sterilized food products

Performance evaluation of high barrier metal-oxide coated polymeric films intended for in-package thermally sterilized food products

Primary Author: Ashutos Parhi

Faculty Sponsor: Shyam Sablani

 

Primary College/Unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Principal Topic

Metal-oxide coated multilayered polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films are used for storing in-package thermally processed food products. However, these films can develop defects when exposed to retort and microwave assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) processes. This increases their oxygen and water vapor transmission rates (OTRs,WVTRs) reducing the shelf life of packaged food.

Method

In this work, we evaluated four film pouches: MOA, MOC, MOE, MOF having layers of metal-oxide coated PET, Nylon 6 and polypropylene. We filled them with water and processed in a retort at 121°C (F0=6–9 min) and MATS at 124°C (F0=10.9 min). The processing times were determined based on solid food products packaged in flexible pouches. Subsequently, the pouches were emptied, dried, filled with an oxygen-sensitive gel, resealed and stored at 23°C for 180-days. The gel changed color at locations with defects and we extracted samples from those locations for scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopies (SEM, CLSM).

Results

OTRs and WVTRs of the films increased significantly (P<0.05) after thermal processing with MOA showing the highest increase and MOF the least. Presence of additional layers of coating may have reduced the barrier deterioration in MOF pouches. MATS processed films showed a lower change compared to retort process. MOC, MOE and MOF pouches showed fewer defects than MOA, visualized through localized color change in the packaged gel as well as SEM and CLSM analysis. Overall, the MOF pouches showed least deterioration after thermal processing and will be ideal for shelf-stable food products with an extended shelf-life.

 

When the Sublime Backfires: Detrimental Effect of Threat-Based Awe for Devastating Nature on Sustainable Consumption

When the Sublime Backfires: Detrimental Effect of Threat-Based Awe for Devastating Nature on Sustainable Consumption

Primary Author: Eujin Park

Faculty Sponsor: Howlett

 

Primary College/Unit: Carson College of Business

Category: Business, Communication, and Politial Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

PRINCIPAL TOPIC

The influence of awe for nature has mostly been known to be positive and successful for sustainability campaigns. Nonetheless, not all awe for nature campaigns are likely to be successful since threat-based awe entails dissimilar emotional consequence in comparison with general positive awe. Hence, we conducted empirical studies to test for the detrimental effect of threat-based awe derived from experiencing devastating nature on sustainable consumption and related mechanism.

 

METHOD

Experimental studies were conducted to manipulate ‘awe for nature’ for one group and ‘threat-based awe for devastating nature’ for the other through audiovisual stimuli adopted from existing literature respectively. Analysis of variance and conditional PROCESS analysis were utilized to test for the effect of threat-based awe for devastating nature on sustainable consumption and related mechanism.

 

RESULTS/IMPLICATIONS

We demonstrate that threat-based awe for devastating nature leads to diminished willingness-to-pay for sustainable consumption (study 1). Threat-based awe for devastating nature also reduces accepting promotional offer related to sustainable consumption (study 2). Threat-based awe for devastating nature even lessens the actual amount of money spent for sustainable consumption (study 3). Threat-based awe for devastating nature diminishes individual’s perceived sense of control over his/her life and hence reduces sustainable consumption (study 3). Yet, imbuing public accountability ameliorates the detrimental effect of threat-based awe for devastating nature on sustainable consumption (study 3). Hence, the empirical findings discuss the significance of the effect of threat-based awe for devastating nature on sustainable consumption and a practical solution to resolve for the detrimental effect.

 

I work for my own: The effect of psychological ownership on emotional labor

I work for my own: The effect of psychological ownership on emotional labor

Primary Author: Lu Yuan

Faculty Sponsor: Jenny Kim

 

Primary College/Unit: Carson College of Business

Category: Business, Communication, and Politial Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

PRINCIPAL TOPIC

Service workers experience stress not only from frivolous behavioral tasks but emotional display rules required during customer contacts. Stress grows even larger when authentic emotions differ from required expressions during work. Psychological ownership in the organization induces affective attachment, makes employees consider the organization as their extended self and feel responsible for customers to benefit the firm. Consequently, personal goals keep consistent with organizational goals and this enables employees to display genuine, positive emotions and service behavior. This influence of psychological ownership on employees’ customer-oriented behavior and emotional acting, which refers to emotional labor, have drawn little attention up to now.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of employees’ psychological ownership on their emotional labor directly and indirectly through customer orientation. Additionally, this paper explores how job autonomy interacts with customer orientation and affects employees’ deep and surface acting behavior.

METHOD

Survey data were collected from 251 employees in 4 Chinese 5-star hotels. All the variables were measured by reliable scales developed and validated by existing studies. SEM was employed for the paths analysis.

RESULTS/IMPLICATIONS

Results demonstrate psychological ownership has a positive, direct influence on deep acting and an indirect influence on deep acting through customer orientation. Conversely, psychological ownership shows a direct, negative association with surface acting, and an indirect association with surface acting through customer orientation. Further, the positive influence of customer orientation on deep acting is stronger in a high-autonomy condition. This moderation effect does not show for surface acting.

 

To Highlight or Summarize? The Benefits of Constructive Learning in Geology.

To Highlight or Summarize? The Benefits of Constructive Learning in Geology.

Primary Author: Rachel Wong

Faculty Sponsor: Olusola Adesope

 

Primary College/Unit: College of Education

Category: Arts and Education Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Learning strategies that college students frequently utilize include highlighting or summarizing. However, based on Chi and Wylie’s ICAP framework (2014), these strategies are not equally effective. The framework identifies four modes of cognitive engagement in learning – passive, active, constructive, and interactive, defined by the overt learning activities that learners participate in. As learners’ engagement increase from passive towards interactive, they are likely to develop a deeper understanding of the material. Based on the framework, highlighting is classified as active and summarizing as constructive, implying that summarizing should result in greater learning.

 

This study was conducted with undergraduate geology students. Students were randomly assigned to either the highlighting or summarizing condition. All students completed a 5-item pre-test. The learning material consisting of six paragraphs, presented individually, aligned with students’ curriculum. In the highlighting condition, students highlighted key words for each paragraph while students in the summarizing condition summarized each paragraph after reading. All students completed immediate and delayed retention and transfer questions, with the delayed questions administered a week later.

 

Results indicated that the summarizing condition outperformed the highlighting condition on both immediate retention (d = 0.52) and delayed transfer (d = 0.54). The findings from this study provide empirical support for the ICAP framework, indicating that a constructive mode of engagement is more beneficial than an active mode of engagement. Since this study was conducted in an authentic learning environment, the findings are even more impactful for educators and students who are interested in identifying strategies to improve learning.

 

A Feasibility Study On 3D Printed Biopsy Needles: Pronged Tips And INternal Features Affect On Tissue Yield

A Feasibility Study On 3D Printed Biopsy Needles: Pronged Tips And INternal Features Affect On Tissue Yield

Primary Author: Anika VanDeen

Faculty Sponsor: Roland Chen

 

Primary College/Unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Category: Engineering and Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Principal Topic

Cancer is an ever-prevalent disease accounting for a large portion of medical services. With an aging world population, it is imperative to have efficient and non-invasive diagnostics. Biopsy methods such as core needle biopsy (CNB) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) are some of the most common practices used to garner an accurate diagnosis.

Methods

This study explores the feasibility of using 3D printing to fabricate biopsy needles with advanced designs that cannot be manufactured using traditional methods. We focus on enhancing the needle tip geometry as well as the addition of an internal feature to help improve tissue yield amounts. Four needle designs were tested, two with a bevel shaped tip, and two with a five-pronged tip, both with and without the internal feature.

 

Results/Implications

Average total yield for the beveled needle with no feature (n=10), was 3.217 mg (s=0.9104), and for the beveled needle with feature, five-pronged needle without feature, and the five-pronged needle with feature (n=22), measured 8.31 mg (s=3.07 mg), 16.16 mg (s=12.21), and 26.34 mg (s=12.94), respectively. There is a statistical difference in yield tissue amounts between the five-prong needle with and without feature (p=0.01). The pronged-tip design with the internal feature is shown to have a significant effect on tissue sampling efficiency. The 3D printed needles do create higher insertion force than that of the stainless-steel needles. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using 3D printing to fabricate biopsy needles with enhanced tissue sampling efficiency.

 

Assessing Organic Tomato Production In Palouse Soils With Biochar Amendment

Assessing Organic Tomato Production In Palouse Soils With Biochar Amendment

Primary Author: Elvir Tenic

Faculty Sponsor: Amit Dhingra

 

Primary College/Unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Principal topic

Current large scale agricultural methods can be seen as a double edged sword: industrial crop production systems provide plentiful food production but led to detrimental impacts to already fragile ecosystems. For all the positive aspects of organic agriculture, there is strong evidence that organic systems overall produce lower crop yields.  Overcoming yield decreases with an emerging technology being implemented globally is the organic soil amendment biochar (BC).  Experimental evidence of BC amended soil showed improved carbon storage, water holding capacity, nutrient delivery, and has led to increased crop yields although detrimental impacts to crop productivity have also been reported.

Method

Hypotheses: BC amended soils would increase water retention, microbial activity and nutrient cycling leading to increased tomato yields.  Eggert Organic Farm soil was supplemented with either no BC, 1 ton/ha or 2 ton/ha of BC and tomato plants were grown during summer of 2019.  Plant biomass, tomato fruit, and soil samples were collected for analysis.

Results/implications

Plant dry biomass demonstrated a reduction in weight with increased BC application but tomato yields indicated an early increase in crop productivity in BC amended soils with final yields comparable to controls soils.  Fruit ˚BRIX in BC amended plants were similar to controls.  No detrimental impacts were found in our study indicating a positive role of BC amendment in Palouse soils. Future analysis of microbial activity from collected soils will shed light on plant/microbe interactions in BC amended soils.