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Showcase College of Agricultural Human and Natural Resource Sciences

Trace element chracteristics of the Columbia River Basalts

Trace element chracteristics of the Columbia River Basalts

Primary author: John Wolff
Co-author(s): Arron Steiner

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

Abstract:

Investigations in the Peter Hooper GeoAnalytical Laboratory (School of the Environment) are leading to a new and radical model for the origin of the Miocene (~16 million years ago) Columbia River flood basalts of the inland PNW. The flood basalts erupted from fissures mostly located in eastern WA and northeatern OR, and flowed westwards from there to create the Columbia and Oregon plateaux. The fissures were fed by magma-filled dikes at depth. Traditionally, these dikes were thought to directly tap sources of magma deep within Earth’s mantle. Our observations and geochemical analyses, especially of trace elements in the basalt lavas, point instead to a new interpretation where the dikes are feeding magma northwards from a volcanic hyper-system located around Vale, OR. This system extended 8 km depth down to the base of the crust and fed lava super-eruptions continuously and copiously for about 700,000 years. Towards the end of that time, activity gradually shifted to even more deadly explosive rhyolitic super-eruptions such as produced the Mascall tephra, which we have identified as far away as New Mexico. After a further 1 million years, volcanism reverted to basaltic to produce the youngest Columbia River lavas. These later lavas have unusual trace element features that suggest the new magmas re-occupied the old hyper-system, melting and re-cycling it. Our poster presents the evidence for (1) a centralized source for basalt magma, (2) its depth range, (3) switching between basaltic and explosive rhyolitic volcanism, and (4) rejuvenation of the system.

Understanding the Molecular Basis of Fusarium solani Mediated Root Rot in Pisum sativum

Understanding the Molecular Basis of Fusarium solani Mediated Root Rot in Pisum sativum

Primary author: Bruce Williamson-Benavides
Faculty sponsor: Amit Dhingra

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

Abstract:

Pisum sativum (pea) yields have declined significantly over the last decades predominantly due to root rot caused by the fungus, Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi (Fsp). Yield losses caused by Fsp range from 15 to 60%. We hypothesize genes exhibiting differential expression and associated polymorphisms in response to Fsp challenge, will confer tolerance or susceptibility of pea to Fsp. To gain a comprehensive insight into the molecular changes that accompany Fsp infection, we performed a comparative time-course gene expression analysis of tolerant and susceptible P. sativum genotypes challenged with the Fsp pathogen. Differential gene expression and molecular pathway analyses revealed that transcription factors, pattern recognition receptors, disease-related genes, as well as genes that participate in the production of hormones and metabolites such as salicylic acid, jasmonate, ethylene, lignin, and flavonoids were differentially expressed between tolerant and susceptible genotypes. 769 differentially expressed genes with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified and the putative SNPs were evaluated for being polymorphic across four tolerant and four susceptible P. sativum genotypes. The total set of SNPs with validated polymorphisms was used to screen two segregating populations generated from sets of tolerant and susceptible parents and currently a linkage-analysis is being performed. This work is expected to facilitate an understanding of the complex relationship between a host plant and its native pathogen. It is also expected to result in the identification of gene-linked molecular markers that will provide a cost-effective avenue to breed peas for resistance to root rot.

Staff Perceptions of Involuntary Nursing Home Closure and Relocation Processes

Staff Perceptions of Involuntary Nursing Home Closure and Relocation Processes

Primary author: Raven Weaver
Co-author(s): Karen Roberto; Nancy Brossoie; Pamela Teaster

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

Abstract:

Involuntary nursing home closures occur infrequently, but when they occur, they impact residents, their family members, and facility staff. Residents’ care needs are of primary concern, yet few studies have examined the centrality of and relationship between actions of staff to residents’ relocation adjustment. We interviewed 18 administrators and 44 staff working at 27 facilities to explore the relocation process for residents from two facilities that lost Medicaid certification because of low quality performance. Our research questions were: 1) What are the issues and challenges faced by facilities who accepted residents from decertified facilities? 2) How did relocation affect the lives of residents and their families? Using content analysis, we identified challenges that hindered relocation and affected resident/family experiences. Receiving facility staff perceived undue distress and hardship on residents/families because of inadequate notification about the situation. Limited, untimely, and poor communication led to residents being unprepared for moving. The efficiency and effectiveness of the resident discharge process was also viewed as unacceptable. Minimal documentation in residents’ charts hampered coordinating resident moves. Receiving facility staff offered recommendations for decertified facilities and receiving facilities to improve the relocation experience, including the need for open communication, thoughtful and early engagement in the process, and transparent and timely interactions. Findings suggest that resident-centered policies are needed to improve the involuntary relocation process and give voice to remaining/receiving staff, both integral to residents’ support system. We offer evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice to improve processes to ensure the well-being of residents facing involuntary relocations.

Validation of the baking step for brownies to control Salmonella

Validation of the baking step for brownies to control Salmonella

Primary author: Phoebe Unger
Co-author(s): Arshdeep Singh; Amninder Singh Sekhon; Monipel Ansong; Lakshmikantha H. Channaiah; Minto Michael
Faculty sponsor: Minto Michael

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

Abstract:

Salmonella can survive under dry environment of flour for extended periods of time. Salmonella can flourish when flour is hydrated while preparing batter or dough, and could cause serious foodborne illnesses if the product is improperly baked. The main goal of this study was to validate a simulated commercial baking process for brownies that has ~7 log CFU/g Salmonella population. The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All-purpose flour was spray inoculated with a 5-serovar Salmonella (Enteritidis, Montevideo, Newport, Senftenberg and Typhimurium) cocktail, and dried back to original pre-inoculation water activity. Brownie batter was prepared from inoculated flour and baked in a conventional oven at 176.7°C for 40 min in a 12″ by 12″ pan. Samples were taken at five-minute intervals during baking. Microbial populations were enumerated using injury-recovery media (brain heart infusion agar overlaid with xylose lysine deoxycholate agar). The initial Salmonella population in brownie batter was 6.9 log CFU/g. The Salmonella population was below the detection limit (0.60 log CFU/g) after 30 minutes of baking. The bacterial population at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 minutes were calculated as 6.7, 6.5, 5.5,4.4 and 2.6 log CFU/g, respectively. As expected, the water activity of brownies decreased during baking. This study validated that a typical commercial brownie baking process utilizing an oven temperature of 176.7°C and baking for at least 40 min would achieve >5-log reductions in Salmonella populations. However, validation studies should be individually conducted for brownie products with different baking parameters.

Strategic Planning in 4-H Youth Development Meaningful Change and Continuous Improvement

Strategic Planning in 4-H Youth Development Meaningful Change and Continuous Improvement

Primary author: Dan Teuteberg
Co-author(s): Missy Cummins; Gary Varrella

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

Abstract:

Land Grant Universities are dynamic and engaging workplaces. They are active, changing, and adaptive to stakeholder needs and emerging opportunities and breakthroughs. Administration provides the requisite focus and direction. Administrative priorities ripple throughout the University and out to the local programmatic level. As priorities and direction filter throughout the organization, county-based Extension staff may feel disconnected from the university level plans.

Extension professionals are at the forefront of the interactions in this evolving and adaptive environment remaining responsive to local demographics, opportunities, and engage in continuous improvement guided by institutional priorities. This article provides an example of a strategic planning process that references and is directed by broader university priorities and is attainable at the field and community level. Borrowing from Posner, Strike, Hewson, & Gerzog’s theory of conceptual change (1982), creating ground-level strategic planning is plausible, attainable, and fruitful. Washington 4-H Youth Development highlights a strategic plan to keep a statewide 4-H Youth Development program relevant to the ever-changing University system.

Location, year and tree age impact near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy-based postharvest prediction of dry matter concentration for 58 apple accessions

Location, year and tree age impact near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy-based postharvest prediction of dry matter concentration for 58 apple accessions

Primary author: Soon Li Teh
Co-author(s): Jamie Coggins; Sarah Kostick; Kate Evans
Faculty sponsor: Kate Evans

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

Abstract:

In apple breeding, development of cultivars with desirable eating quality and postharvest characteristics is of paramount importance. During each season, fruit are destructively sampled and evaluated for various fruit quality traits. This presents a challenge when young seedling trees do not bear sufficient fruit for destructive sampling. Alternatively, a non-destructive tool can enable prediction of fruit quality indices regardless of fruit count, thus increasing selection efficiency. In this study, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used as a non-destructive tool to correlate with destructively-derived measurements of dry matter concentration (DMC), a trait touted to be highly linked with fruit quality. The study was aimed at evaluating NIR prediction accuracy for DMC of 2,252 fruit from 58 diverse accessions at three orchard sites belonging to the Washington State University apple breeding program. Results showed that DMC values were generally predicted at high accuracies. In characterizing DMC predictive performance of within- versus between-years, both models were highly predictive and comparable, albeit slightly higher for the former. Further analysis of location × year effects revealed that location was a more important factor than year in influencing predictive performance. Finally, in cultivar-specific models, prediction made using fruit from more established trees as a calibration set consistently yielded higher prediction accuracy. This study provides a framework for understanding the impacts of location, year and tree age on NIR prediction accuracy of DMC in diverse apple breeding accessions. In addition, this work demonstrates the importance of assessing predictive performance using multiple statistical metrics.

Modeling Brook Trout carrying capacity in Owhi Lake, Washington using bioenergetics

Modeling Brook Trout carrying capacity in Owhi Lake, Washington using bioenergetics

Primary author: Timothy Taylor
Co-author(s): Benjamin Cross; Barry Moore
Faculty sponsor: Barry C. Moore

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

Abstract:

The management of fish populations often requires an understanding of how density-dependent effects influence population dynamics. In systems where natural populations are supplemented with stocking, the question of ‘how much food is available’ becomes increasingly important. One typical approach for assessing density-dependent interactions is to identifying disparities between fish consumption rates and food availability. The objective of our study was to determine if seasonal lake prey production could support Brook Trout consumption demands in Owhi Lake, Washington at observed abundances. Brook Trout were collected seasonally from 2015 to 2017 to obtain information on length, weight, age, diet, growth, and mortality. Population abundance was estimated in summers using hydroacoustic surveys. Littoral invertebrates and pelagic zooplankton were collected concurrently with fish to enumerate biomass and production. Bioenergetics modeling was used to estimate prey consumption for Brook Trout. In conjunction with supply-demand comparisons, we used growth efficiencies and maximum consumption rates to further identify potential season and annual food limitations. Our results suggest that prey production could support Brook Trout consumption demands for all years, but littoral invertebrate consumption was near to, or exceeded, prey production in summer and fall 2017. Growth efficiency was lowest and maximum consumption rates were highest in summer 2017 compared to all seasons and years. In addition to observed diet switching in summer 2016 and 2017 from littoral invertebrates to zooplankton, we concluded that lower growth efficiencies, lower annual survival rates, and increased consumption rates were influenced by littoral invertebrate production.

Exploring the Logo Evolution and Fashion Brand Discourse of Luxury Brands through Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines

Exploring the Logo Evolution and Fashion Brand Discourse of Luxury Brands through Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines

Primary author: Yi-Ning Tai
Co-author(s): Yuh-Fen Yu
Faculty sponsor: Jihyeong Son

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

Abstract:

Brand logos play a huge role to enhance consumer brand loyalty and the overall performance of a company (Park, Eisingerich, Pol & Park, 2013). The present study tried to investigate the patterns of the logo evolution of luxury fashion brands and how these brands use the logo as a key for successful communication with consumers. A visual content analysis was conducted with the top seven luxurious brand logos, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Dior, Burberry, and Prada, presented on advertisements in Vogue and harper’s Bazaar magazines through 1930 to 2019. The shape, color, and font of each brand’s logo were examined. The results revealed that Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, and Hermes have not changed their logos since 20 century. Only, for Burberry, the brand has changed its logo four times. It eliminated the symbol and altered the font of the logo gradually to fit the brand image. There are patterns in their successful logo design: First, luxury brands tend to simplify their logos. Secondly, the structures of logos tend to be in rectangular figures. Third, the logo design needs to align with brand characteristics. Lastly, the logo is a powerful marketing tool to enhance brand awareness and it is also a key to change the brand image. We concluded that every change or adjustment for a brand logo is to pursue higher visibility, which means to have distinctions between different brands (Adîr, Adîr & Pascu, 2012). A successful logo design aims to imprint on people’s minds.

Promoting Experiential Learning to Strengthen Growth and Retention

Promoting Experiential Learning to Strengthen Growth and Retention

Primary author: Samantha Swindell
Co-author(s): Katie Forsythe; Jon Walter; Diana Baldovinos

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

Abstract:

The LAUNCH (Into Experiential Learning) Program facilitates students’ participation in a wide range of co-curricular learning experiences (e.g., research participation, civic engagement, internships, global education, entrepreneurial competitions). It does so by connecting students with opportunities that fit their unique profiles (i.e., align with their personal values, play to their strengths, and move them toward their post-graduation goals), extend their training beyond the classroom, and support the development of transferable skillsets that transcend disciplinary boundaries.

Through partnerships with Student Affairs and academic programs, 1529 undergraduates at WSU have participated in the LAUNCH program to date. Pre/post assessments have revealed significant increases in personal growth as a function of participating in LAUNCH. Depending on the format of the programming (interactive workshop or solitary worksheet exercises), participants show significant increases in behavioral intention, openness to change, planfulness, and use of resources – all dimensions of growth defined by the Personal Growth Inventory II (a validated measure of personal change). Post-assessments confirm positive evaluations of the program by participants and initial indications to engage in experiential learning opportunities following workshop completion. Logistic regression conducted on first-year freshman suggests that students who complete LAUNCH are more likely to be retained from first-year fall to second-year fall relative to matched controls (i.e., undergraduates who did not participate in the program).

This poster will highlight the details of these findings and LAUNCH’s potential as a program to promote student engagement, success, and retention at WSU.

Functionally antagonistic integrated domains of the Rpg5 NLR immunity receptor interact to regulate stem rust resistance in barley

Functionally antagonistic integrated domains of the Rpg5 NLR immunity receptor interact to regulate stem rust resistance in barley

Primary author: Shyam Solanki
Co-author(s): Gazala Ameen; Deepika Arora; Pawel Borowicz; Robert Brueggeman
Faculty sponsor: Robert S Bruggeman

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

Abstract:

Immunity is important for plants to protect themselves from pathogens. Immunity activation relies on perception of pathogen molecules or by changes they induce to colonize the host tissues. The molecules/proteins pathogens manipulate are susceptibility targets encoded by vulnerable regions of the genome that are under selective pressure by the pathogen. A new paradigm of plant immune receptor evolution suggests plant genome reorganization directed by the pressure exerted by pathogens leading to gene fusion of these susceptibility targets with NLR plant immunity receptors resulting in integrated domains (IDs) that act as pathogen ‘bait-proteins’. These NLR-ID baits allow plants to monitor pathogen induced changes in the host. We identified a barley NLR immune receptor Rpg5 containing a serine threonine kinase (STPK) ID that confers resistance against Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), the stem rust pathogen. The Rpg5-STPK-ID progenitor, PRK1, an Arabidopsis stomatal kinase AtAPK1b ortholog was hypothesized as important for stomata opening during respiration. Confocal microscopy showed Pgt host entry through stomata in the dark expelling the current dogma that a light period is required for stomata opening and pathogen entry, suggesting stomatal manipulation by Pgt possibly targeting PRK1 to enter the host during the night when the stomates are closed. We hypothesize that the pathogen manipulates PRK1 to open the stomata and enter in the host at night when Pgt spores adapted to germinate, thus forcing the host to evolve the Rpg5-STPK NLR-ID which recognizes the pathogen’s attempt to manipulate PRK1 leading to the activation of plant defense responses.