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Pitch Organization of Quarter-Tone String Trio Using Frequency Ratios of 11/9 and 8/7

Pitch Organization of Quarter-Tone String Trio Using Frequency Ratios of 11/9 and 8/7

Primary author: Michael Williams
Faculty sponsor: Scott Blasco

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Using just intonation, also called pure intonation, is the tuning of musical intervals as small whole number ratios (such as 3:2 or 4:3) of frequencies. The pitches of this piece are based on two different intervals, or frequency ratios, of 11/9 and 8/7. I create two separate series, one consisting of added ratios 11/9 (11/9, 11/9*11/9, 11/9*11/9*11/9, etc.) and another of added ratios of 8/7. The first organization of pitches is made from a series of 11/9 intervals divided into series of fifths, notated at the nearest quarter tone. An interval of a near-perfect fifth is created by adding two 11/9 intervals together. By adding two 8/7 ratios, the series of frequencies sounds somewhat uneven, and kind of disorienting. In order to combat this unevenness in the 8/7 series, I divide it into three different series based on the series of fifths compiled from the series of 11/9 series. The first series of 8/7 series frequencies matches closely with the beginning of the 11/9 frequency series. The second and third series are tempered by some 45 cents to make the 8/7 series more even between the frequencies. By combining the 11/9 series with the 8/7 series altogether, a microtonal quarter-tone scale is created. This scale is used for my string trio.

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.

Network Clustering for Distribution System with Photovoltaic System and Electric Vehicles

Network Clustering for Distribution System with Photovoltaic System and Electric Vehicles

Primary author: Lusha Wang
Faculty sponsor: Noel Schulz

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

Abstract:

The penetration of both Photovoltaic (PV) system and electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing rapidly in distribution systems, which brings challenges to system operation. The distribution system should meet some requirement to operate safely, the most important one being that the voltage magnitude should be within the desired range. Compared with the traditional centralized voltage control where all the information of the system is obtained and an optimization problem is solved in the control center, the decentralized voltage control is more flexible and consumes less computation time, making it suitable for large-size distribution system. To realize the decentralized voltage control, proper division of the system and choice of regional agents should be well determined. The rapid change of system configuration and DG output as well as EV movement brings the need of rapid and frequent determination of network clusters. We proposed a new algorithm to cluster a distribution system with PVs and EVs. The modularity index is used to evaluate the clustering result. The original modularity index is purely based on system structure, so we add the information of PV generation and EV driving distance into the index to accommodate power system properties. The Louvain algorithm with the aim of maximizing the modified modularity index is used to cluster the distribution system, which shows great computation speed and reasonable results. An IEEE 123 node system is used to demonstrate the clustering result, with comparison of network clustering based on solely structure, structure with DG output and the three together.

“The Bed We Made For You”: Earth’s Average Surface Temperature as a Baby Quilt

“The Bed We Made For You”: Earth’s Average Surface Temperature as a Baby Quilt

Primary author: Lisa Waananen Jones

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

Abstract:

The use of textiles as a form of storytelling and documentation extends to the earliest human civilizations. “Cloth relates to humanity is its mortality and transience—both cloth and our body can be cut, stitched, age, and decay. … It evokes memory. The child clings to their comfort blanket, and in times of crisis we too still reach for cloth and its human connections” (Nickell, 2015). As numerical data has grown as a form of documentation, recent textile projects shared and popularized on social media have incorporated climate and weather data.
This work of data art visualizes a widely used NASA dataset of Earth’s annual average surface temperature, 1880-2018, in this textile tradition as a half-square triangle baby quilt with color encoding. A diverging blue-red color scheme is common in temperature visualizations for a public audience, such as annually published news graphics using this dataset by The New York Times and Bloomberg News. This project makes use of the dual symbolism of blue and pink for temperature data and the symbolic colors used for babies. Each year in the dataset is represented by a half-square of fabric, with color representing the degree to which that year was warmer or cooler than the preindustrial average. The entirely hand-stitched quilt shows the distinct pattern of rising temperatures and invites contemplation about the role of generational traditions and heirlooms in a changing world.
Karen Nickell (2015) “Troubles Textiles”: Textile Responses to the Conflict in Northern Ireland, TEXTILE, 13:3, 234-251, DOI: 10.1080/14759756.2015.1084693

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.

Mobile Money for the Financially Underserved in the U.S.: How can this Socio-Technical System work?

Mobile Money for the Financially Underserved in the U.S.: How can this Socio-Technical System work?

Primary author: Carlos Torres
Faculty sponsor: Robert Crossler

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

Abstract:

In Forbes Technology Council, Toni Raval highlights that fintech is creating new alternatives addressing the unbanked /underbanked populations in developing economies by providing access to financial services, wherein three years (2014-2017) 515M adults obtained access to financial services unavailable before (Raval, 2019).
While this is happening in the developing world, and technology seems to be improving the lives of many people with no access to financial services, in the US CNN reported several cities and states banning cashless stores in order to prevent discrimination against unbanked people (Meyersohn, 2019). It seems contradictory that fintech can be seen as a mean for inclusion in many societies, but in the U.S., fintech is being used with the purpose of exclusion instead.
This in-progress critical research uses Bourdieu’s theory of practice (Bourdieu, 1977, 1990) to study the M-Money socio-technical system (Baxter & Sommerville, 2011; Bostrom & Heinen, 1977) addressing the financially underserved in the U.S. By using Values Sensitive Design (VSD) methodology considering human values of ethical import (Friedman & Kahn Jr, 2003), we offer initial theoretical insight and preliminary design principles for application providers developing technical solutions with the hope of preventing ongoing discrimination against financially underserved U.S. financially underserved.

Metallic Aerogel As Electrocatalysts In Oxygen Evolution And Hydrogen Evolution Reactions for Water Splitting

Metallic Aerogel As Electrocatalysts In Oxygen Evolution And Hydrogen Evolution Reactions for Water Splitting

Primary author: Hangyu Tian
Faculty sponsor: Yuehe Lin

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

Abstract:

The emergent demands for a green and efficient energy resource driving the development of new energy conversion and storage systems. Among numerous energy resources, hydrogen is one of promising candidates for the next generation energy due to its zero carbon emission, high energy density and no pollutants. However, the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction that require a large overpotential over standard potential (1.23V vs RHE) has hindered water splitting for hydrogen production and made it hard to compete with fossil fuel in cost and efficiency. And due to its shortage, exorbitant price and poor durability, current commercial noble metal electrocatalysts still hindered the electrochemical production of the hydrogen. In past decades, significant efforts have been made on structure and composition design to improve the performance and efficiency of the electrocatalysts. Among various structure, Aerogel stands out for its ultra-high porosity, low apparent density and high specific area. We focus on the facile synthesis, composition optimization and defect engineering to increase both the number and activity of the reaction sites. By optimization of these parameters, our metallic aerogels exhibited excellent OER and HER performance.

Compared to C57BL/6J Mice, C57BL/6N Mice Exhibit Reduced Ethanol Consumption That Is Not Due to a Discrepancy in Sweet Taste Perception

Compared to C57BL/6J Mice, C57BL/6N Mice Exhibit Reduced Ethanol Consumption That Is Not Due to a Discrepancy in Sweet Taste Perception

Primary author: Talia Thuet
Co-author(s): Kevin Douglas

Primary college/unit: College of Veterinary Medicine
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

DBA/2J (D2) and C57BL/6J (B6J) mice are widely used as models for low and high ethanol (EtOH) consumption genotypes respectively. However, a key determinant of low EtOH consumption in D2 mice is taste-aversion to EtOH, which precludes voluntary consumption to neurologically active concentrations of EtOH. This phenomenon is explained in part by D2 mice having an allele of the sac locus which encodes a sweet taste receptor with reduced responsivity to sweet compounds like saccharin, sucrose, and EtOH. Furthermore, vast genetic differences between B6J and D2 mice make it difficult to identify key underlying neuro-molecular-genetic factors that contribute to their respective drinking profiles. To address these complications, we studied EtOH and sucrose reinforcement in C57BL/6N mice (B6N), a substrain of the original C57BL/6J line, distinguished by only five small nucleotide polymorphisms, that exhibits significantly reduced EtOH consumption. To determine whether taste-aversion to EtOH is a primary determinant of low EtOH consumption by B6N mice, we subjected animals to a modified sucrose fade procedure using a drinking in the dark, two-bottle-choice paradigm. We determined that; 1) B6Ns consume the same amount of a 10% sucrose solution as B6Js, 2) B6Js consume significantly more of a 10% EtOH/10% sucrose mix than B6Ns, but both achieve physiologically relevant blood alcohol concentrations (15-219 mg%), and 3) B6Js consume significantly more 10% EtOH than B6Ns upon removal of sucrose. Taken together, these results suggest that genetic differences in neurological response to EtOH contribute to differences in EtOH consumption between genetically similar B6J and B6N mice.

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.