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Showcase College of Agricultural Human and Natural Resource Sciences

A Study of U.S. Consumer Perceived Value and Purchase Intention Toward Recycled Material Made Athleisure Apparel

A Study of U.S. Consumer Perceived Value and Purchase Intention Toward Recycled Material Made Athleisure Apparel

Primary Author: Olabisi Adesanya

Faculty Sponsor: Ting Chi

 

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

Category: Business, Communication, and Political Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

Apparel and textile industries are known for their immense contribution to environmental pollution worldwide. In recent years, practitioners and researchers work collaboratively to mitigate the negative impact of the industry on the environment. Polyester is the mostly used (60% of all materials), and non-biogradable material in apparel. Athleisure apparel is a prominent everyday wear and primarily made of polyester. Due to its latent contribution to pollution, this study aimed to identify U.S. consumers’ sustainable behavior through their perception of athleisure apparel made from recycled polyester as opposed to virgin polyester and the influence of their perception on purchase intentions. The Perceived Green Value (PGV) framework by Sheth, Newman and Gross (1991) was used. The theoretical framework consists of five-dimensional values: functional, social, emotional, conditional and epistemic values. Qualitative research method was used to ensure a rich exploration of the topic. Semi-structured interview was conducted with 16 U.S. female millennials, which were recruited through a snowball sampling method. The interviews were transcribed, and content analyzed. All the above values were important to the consumers in shopping for sustainably produced athleisure apparel. Fit and comfort were the most important qualities to the participants, and they showed willingness to pay 10-15% price premium for athleisure apparel made from recycled polyester if quality is comparable to those made from virgin polyester. This study provides implication for apparel retailers and manufacturers to communicate their sustainable practices to consumers because they showed willingness to pay price premium for sustainably produced apparel products.

 

Measuring community and school district readiness for prevention using publicly available secondary data: Findings from a Delphi study

Measuring community and school district readiness for prevention using publicly available secondary data: Findings from a Delphi study

Primary author: Gitanjali Shrestha
Co-author(s): Laura Hill; Clara Hill
Faculty sponsor: Laura Hill

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

Abstract:
Introduction: Readiness for prevention is an important factor in prevention program success; thus, measuring readiness is a key step in disseminating prevention programs. Existing measures of readiness are time and resource intensive. Thus, the identification of publicly available proxy variables for readiness will not only be more resource efficient, it will also help prevention efforts in which readiness data has not been prospectively collected. The purpose of this study was to use the Delphi technique to identify publicly available proxy variables for community and school district readiness.

Method: We conducted a three-round Delphi study with ten prevention experts across five states to garner expert consensus on publicly available variables that could be considered proxies for readiness. Round 1 consisted of expert interviews, while rounds 2 and 3 consisted of online surveys.

Results: Findings reveal that certain dimensions of community readiness can be assessed using publicly available secondary datasets. Results indicated that 17 variables across eight domains can be considered proxies for readiness. Six of these 17 variables are specific to school district readiness, while the remaining 11 are proxies for both community and school district readiness. The study also yielded interesting insights into readiness such as the distinction between proxy variables for readiness and contextual variables for readiness, as well as the overlap between community readiness variables and school district readiness variables.

Conclusion: The list of proxy readiness variables is especially useful in large-scale evaluations or in circumstances where limited resources prohibit the collection of readiness data.

Characterization of Galacturonic Acid Catabolic Genes in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Characterization of Galacturonic Acid Catabolic Genes in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Primary author: Nickisha Pierre-Pierre
Co-author(s): Wei Wei
Faculty sponsor: Weidong Chen

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

Abstract:

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen causing white mold disease on more than 600 plant species, including many economically important crops. The most prominent symptom of white mold is maceration of host tissue, suggesting the efficiency of pathogen in degrading plant cell wall. Galacturonic acid is the major building block of pectin which is a main component of plant cell wall. Thus, the resulting galacturonic acid after tissue maceration is likely the nutrient source for S. sclerotiorum. The genome of S. sclerotiorum encodes the genes responsible for galacturonic acid catabolism. However, the roles of these galacturonic acid catabolic genes in the biology and virulence of S. sclerotiorum are unknown.
The D-galacturonic acid catabolic pathway in S. sclerotiorum consists of three catalytic steps converting D-galacturonic acid to pyruvate and L-glyceraldehyde. In an effort to characterize the functions of the galacturonic acid catabolic pathway genes, gene deletion mutants of these genes in S. sclerotiorum were generated using targeted mutagenesis.
The wildtype and gene-deletion mutant strains of S. sclerotiorum were tested on media with different carbon sources. For radial growth assays, mycelium of strains were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and as a carbon source either glucose, D-galacturonic acid, citrus fruit pectin, apple pectin or sodium pectate. The significance of the effects of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and the characterization of its virulence in host plants will be discussed in efforts to understand the epidemiology of the disease.

Optimum Conditions for Pelleting Dairy Manure Compost

Optimum Conditions for Pelleting Dairy Manure Compost

Primary Author: Femi Alege

Faculty Sponsor: Pius Ndegwa

 

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

Category: Engineering and Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

PRINCIPAL TOPIC

Excess manure-nutrients near locations of animal production is a major threat to environmental health in such areas. This is due, mainly, to the bulkiness and high moisture content (MC) of manure or manure-compost. The overall goal of this study is to concentrate nutrients and reduce MC via pelleting to enhance nutrients transport, utilization, and storage to mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts at the source.

 

METHOD

The optimum conditions for pelleting dairy manure compost were investigated with MC ranging from 10 – 35% (w.b.) and two die sizes (6-mm and 8-mm). The relationship between MC, pellet recovery, and pellet durability, as well as the effect of pelleting on nutrients concentration, were also determined. Properties and nutrient analyses of products were determined according to established ASABE and TMECC standard procedures.

 

RESULTS/IMPLICATIONS

Results showed that pelleting reduced the MC by >40% and increased the nutrients’ concentration by about 25%. The optimum MC for pelleting with the 6-mm and 8-mm dies were approximately 27 and 21%, respectively. No significant differences were observed between pellets recovery and pellets durability at MC between 20 and 30% for either die. Pellets produced within these conditions will thus reduce production downtime, materials wastage, costs of energy and labor, and the overall cost of transportation of the nutrients. The significant reductions in MC and increased nutrients concentration in the pellets significantly reduce transportation cost of the manure-nutrients to other regions where they can be beneficially applied on the land with less potential negative impact on the environment.

 

Improved Design of Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol and Polypropylene-Based Packaging for Microwave-Assisted Thermal Sterilization and Pasteurization

Improved Design of Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol and Polypropylene-Based Packaging for Microwave-Assisted Thermal Sterilization and Pasteurization

Primary Author: Saleh Al-Ghamdi

Faculty Sponsor: Shyam Sablani

 

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

Category: Engineering and Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Abstract

Principal Topic

Oceans are full of plastic waste and plastic packaging production and transportation have an environmental burden of greenhouse emissions. To reduce this pollution and the plastic production footprint. The aim of this study was to design a reduced thickness of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and polypropylene (PP)-based trays for microwave-assisted thermal processing.

Method

We designed multilayered packaging with high barrier performance resulting in symmetrical and asymmetrical layers’ structures that were subjected to conventional and microwave-assisted thermal food sterilization and pasteurization processes. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) or structural, mechanical, and barrier properties were measured before and after thermal processing and during the shelf life. Oxygen ingress into the package was monitored utilizing nondestructive fluorescence sensors. Model food was used as a color-changing indicator sensitive to O2.

Results/Implications

Results showed that PALS did not reveal any apparent increase in free volume after sterilization process. Mechanical properties showed better performance for the new reduced thickness design.  Barrier properties changed after microwave-assisted thermal sterilization. Oxygen ingress during shelf life was negligible for pasteurized trays. However, conventional sterilization showed higher O2 ingress than microwave-assisted sterilization. Model food showed great potential and the feasibility of reducing the package thickness without food quality deterioration. We have obtained better or comparable packaging performance with a 24% overall reduction in package thickness. These findings showed the possibility of reducing package thickness resulting in a reduction of the overall used material that can translate to less carbon footprint and better financial and environmental choices.

 

Predicting Access to Healthful Food Retailers with Machine Learning

Predicting Access to Healthful Food Retailers with Machine Learning

Primary Author: Modhurima Amin

Faculty Sponsor: Jill McCluskey

 

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

Category: Business, Communication, and Politial Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Many U.S. households lack access to healthful food and rely on inexpensive, processed food with low nutritional value. Surveying access to healthful food is costly and finding the factors that affect access remain convoluted owing to the multidimensional nature of socioeconomic variables. We utilize machine learning with census tract data to predict the modified Retail Food Environment Index (mRFEI), which refers to the percentage of healthful food retailers in a tract, and two binary measures: food deserts— where no healthful-food retailers exist, and food swamps, where healthful-food retailers are considerably outnumbered by less healthful retailers. Our model optimally identifies ten demographic variables that detect food deserts and swamps with 100% prediction accuracy in sample and 78% out of sample. We find that food deserts and swamps are intrinsically different and require separate policy attentions. Food deserts are mainly wide, lightly populated rural tracts with low ethnic diversity. Commercial supercenters might find it unprofitable to operate there owing to low population density. Contrarily, swamps are predominantly small, densely populated, urban tracts, with more non-Caucasian residents who lack vehicle access. Therefore, while community supported agriculture might work better for food deserts, limiting unhealthy retailers might be better for food swamps to solve the problem of healthy food access. Overall access to healthful food retailers is mainly explained by population density, presence of Caucasian population, and income. We also show that our model can be used to get a sensible prediction of access to healthful food retailers for any U.S. census tract.

 

Determination of thermal inactivation kinetics (D- and z-values) of Salmonella in brownie batter

Determination of thermal inactivation kinetics (D- and z-values) of Salmonella in brownie batter

Primary Author: Monipel Ansong

Faculty Sponsor: Minto Michael

 

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

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Principal Topic: Salmonella can be introduced into bakery products through ingredients such as flour, milk, cocoa powders, and eggs. Studies have shown that Salmonella can survive under adverse environmental conditions over time; therefore, it is vital to study the thermal inactivation kinetics (D- and z-values) of Salmonella in bakery products such as brownie batter. The aim of this study was to determine the D- and z-values of a 5-serovar Salmonella cocktail in brownie batter.

 

Methods: All-purpose flour was inoculated with a 5-serovar Salmonella cocktail (Enteritidis, Senftenberg, Typhimurium, Montevideo and Newport) and used to prepare brownie batter. This study implemented a randomized complete block design with three replications as blocks. The batter was subjected to heat treatment using thermal-death-time disks in hot water bath at 64, 68, 72 and 76C for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 min, respectively. The Salmonella population was enumerated using injury-recovery media (brain heart infusion agar overlaid with xylose lysine deoxycholate agar). The graphs for calculating D- and z-values were plotted using Microsoft Excel, and D- and z-values were calculated as absolute values of the inverse of slopes.

 

Results/implications: The D-values of 5-serovar Salmonella cocktail in brownie batter were 53.4±5.38, 27.2±2.04, 10.7±0.72 and 4.6±0.49 min at 64, 68, 72 and 76C, respectively; whereas, z-value of the Salmonella cocktail was 11.1±0.71C. D-values from this study provide the basic information about the thermal resistance of Salmonella in brownie batter at the start of baking and could help the bakery industry to optimize cooking parameters ensuring the safety of brownies.

 

Cellulose nanocrystal dispersions protect reproductive buds of tree fruit from cold damage by forming a thermal barrier

Cellulose nanocrystal dispersions protect reproductive buds of tree fruit from cold damage by forming a thermal barrier

Primary Author: Brent Arnoldussen

Faculty Sponsor: Matthew Whiting

 

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

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Every year, tree fruit growers lose money from cold damage to reproductive buds or flowers eventually become the future fruit and yield. The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that cold damage has caused more economic losses to crops than any other weather hazard. The potential losses from cold damage are predicted to increase with variable weather patterns resulting from climate change. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) represents a new generation of renewable nano-biomaterials, with many unique physical and chemical properties, including their low thermal conductivity. Our team has synthesized a CNC dispersion that can be sprayed onto trees, forming a thin and durable insulating film on the surface of the buds. Thermal image analysis shows apple and cherry buds treated with 3% CNC dispersions lose 16.5% less thermal energy into the environment in cold conditions than the control. As such, analysis of internal freezing events of CNC coated apple buds with digital scanning calorimetry showed that lethal freezing occurred 3.2°C lower than in the control 1 day after application and 5.5°C lower after 3 days. Large scale field test of 2.5% CNC solutions applied using a commercially available orchard sprayer showed that CNC treated trees are given 5.8°C of protection as long as 7 days post application. The results of this work suggest that the use of CNC could represent an advancement in cold damage prevention in fruit crops. The significant and long-lasting protection offered by CNC could allow for a reduction in  economic losses from cold damage

Associative learning of food odors by paper wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Associative learning of food odors by paper wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Primary Author: Megan Asche

Faculty Sponsor: Richard Zack

 

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

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Principal topic

Traps and bait stations that utilize attractants can manage paper wasp populations without pesticides. The purpose of this experiment is to test the associative learning behavior of paper wasps and evaluate their level of attraction to three plant-based odors. The hypothesis tested was that wasps exposed to food inoculated with an odor would show a higher level of attraction to that odor than wasps that were not previously exposed.

Methods

Wasps were separated into two groups, “naïve” and “experienced.” Naive wasps were fed an odorless sugar water solution and experienced wasps received a sugar water solution with a 1% concentration of an odor. After the feeding, wasps were placed into a flight tunnel and the level of attraction to the odor was scored.

Results/implications

Strong evidence for associative learning behavior by spring queens and workers has been shown. However, the fall queens and males were less successful. The difference in learning ability between these groups may be because, in nature, spring queens and workers both forage for food, while fall queens and males do not.

This research was funded by U.S. Air Force. Paper wasps form swarms and aggregations on air control towers in late summer and autumn. These wasps can be a hazardous to people and negatively impact equipment. The ability of paper wasps to learn and respond to chemical cues associated with a food may provide an opportunity to manipulate them. These results suggest we can develop a “train and trap” strategy for controlling paper wasps.

 

Predictors of Successful College Adjustment for First-Year Students

Predictors of Successful College Adjustment for First-Year Students

Primary Author: Kathryn Bruzios

Faculty Sponsor: Brittany Cooper

 

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

Category: Physical and Social Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

PRINCIPAL TOPIC

First-year students face transitional challenges and may struggle with developing their own identity, making friends, and becoming independent. Securely attached students, and those who actively seek out social support tend to achieve better social adjustment to college. Research assessing links between students’ self-esteem and college adjustment remain inconclusive as does the impact of social media use. For first-year students, the pressure to adjust quickly and successfully is a strong force to bear. Therefore, the present study sought to examine possible predictors of successful college adjustment.

METHOD

First-year students (n = 42) from a small liberal arts university, completed a series of assessments measuring possible predictors of college adjustment including parental and peer attachment, social support, self-esteem, and Facebook use. Secure individuals with better social support were expected to have better adjustment overall. Some motivations of using Facebook were also expected to play a role. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine whether dating status, student status, or sex were significant covariates. Zero order correlations and multiple regressions were conducted for each possible predictor.

RESULTS/IMPLICATIONS

Findings consistently supported that secure attachment with peers, higher self-esteem, and student status were predictors of a more successful adjustment to college. This research has implications for colleges and departments with an influential role in easing students into the college environment. Empirical support of successful adjustment predictors should be applied to interventions implemented in the first-year experience in future studies. Further attention to intricacies of residential and commuter students’ experiences is also warranted.