Outrage media, which embodies the angry figure behind the desk reading the news and presenting news with a partisan twist, has grown through the expansion of cable television and the internet. Previous research has focused on the distribution of outrage news through the media outlets. This project used an experiment that mimicked the news cycle during a presidential campaign to explore which factors affect how individuals consume outrage media, thus filling the gap in research.

Late blight (LB), caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a destructive disease of tomato in PA. Experimental hybrids were developed from PSU elite tomato breeding lines with superior horticultural characteristics for production in PA, containing a combination of the commercially-available LB-resistance gene Ph-3 and a new LB-resistance gene Ph-5, identified at Penn State. Molecular marker genotyping and disease screening of the hybrids demonstrated successful incorporation of both resistance genes, and the advantage of hybrids containing both.

The purpose of our study was to compare total step counts obtained by Fitbit Charge HR, Fitbit Blaze and Apple Watch with observed step counts obtained by video recordings during a treadmill protocol to evaluate the accuracy of the devices in determining step counts. Fifty participants completed a 4-stage treadmill protocol with all devices worn on the participant’s non-dominant wrist. No significant differences in steps for all devices when compared with observed video step counts.

First step in development of a digital tutoring process preparing emergency responders based on curriculum written by the National Disaster Life Support Foundation (NDLSF).  This step defines the target emergency responder audience, and declarative to procedural (D2P) material learning objectives, based on the Core/Civil Disaster Life Support® V.3.0 module of the NDLSF curriculum. The project involves analysis of NDLSF content, subject matter expert interviews, creation of a java-based tutor, and scenarios developed using Unity 3D.

Fusarium oxysporum (Fo) is a soil-borne fungus causing disease in over 120 crops worldwide. The mechanism of Fo-host interactions remains unclear but is fundamental to disease management. Secreted In Xylem (SIX) putative effector genes are traditionally associated with pathogenicity. However, most SIX gene functions have not been studied. SIX genes were recently detected in non-pathogenic isolates from banana. In this study, we detected SIX genes in Fo non-pathogenic isolates from chickpea and tomato.

Empathy is an important leadership skill that is often overlooked.  In this study, I will be using a version of the Empathy Selection Task developed by Cameron and colleagues (under review) to explore the relationship between being assigned a leadership role and avoiding or choosing empathy to solve workplace problems.  I will also explore how effortful choosing empathy is, as well as social desirability norms associated with choosing empathy in the workplace.

The proposal is about the study on a relatively new technology with good prospects - SERS (surface-enhanced Raman enhancement). We did experiments to prepare, transfer graphene, apply testing sample, and measure for proportion and categories of substances in the sample. We also worked on a program to analyze the SERS result and get the data of proportion and categories. Further experiments are needed for exploring how changing of conditions of SERS will affect the result.

Wire arc additive manufacturing is a process that deposits material using a heat source (TIG welder) and wire as the build material. My research is on developing a system to control he current of the welder automatically by measuring the temperature of the weld pool to improve weld quality/material deposition.

This study used the "Positive Deviance" approach to assess lifestyle and food behavior differences in reproductive-age Ghanaian women based on micronutrient and health status. Quantitative and qualitative data were used. The study found that consumption of turkey berry (high in iron), ownership of home and agricultural land, and exposure to the healthcare system were higher among the positive deviants (healthiest women), while consumption of starchy foods and sugary drinks were higher among negative deviants.

Pollinator Panic! is an educational tool developed by students in collaboration with the Center for Pollinator Research to communicate the complexity of bee community dynamics and promote awareness for bee conservation. The player acts as a field researcher who sets out to restore a damaged habitat using flora and bee species. By examining how these species interact to build a more stable community, the game illustrates research vital to the ecological health of pollinators.

I, along with three other lab members (Maddie, Phil, and Katelyn) will be composing a presentation comprising our recent research on the localization of related proteins in Drosophila dendrites.

The basis of my project has been doing a general characterization of an ER stress gene, IRE1a, and its role in inflammatory signaling following UV irradiation. By using both cultured cells and in vivo experiments that have a non functional form of IRE1a, we are able to investigate any significant differences between the knockout and the wild type control model in terms of inflammatory signaling and recruitment.

We strive to find the ultimate lowest concentration of absorber that can be imaged at any given depth.  We came up with different kinds of tissue phantom recipes that can mimic human breast tissue best manner. The tissue phantoms are made of varied densities to help perform tomography on the densest and thickest human breast tissues. Diagnosing a cancer at its efficiently early stages of development  can decrease the mortality rate significantly.

Autonomous vehicle systems have been a topic of interest, as they can reduce vehicular injuries and fatalities. The driving style of the autonomous vehicle and the driver needs to be taken into account when designing such a system. This experiment explores how different driving styles (aggressive vs. defensive) affect how they interact with the autonomous vehicle. This research will add vital findings to the AV space allowing for the design of an autonomous vehicle.