The University of Washington's Manastash Ridge Observatory is being upgraded with a telescope auto-guiding system and a replacement camera, funded by Student Technology Fund.  The new, in-house, upgrades call for a high-level software implementation from the ground up.  Utilizing the programming language Python, we build two graphic user interfaces (GUIs) for controlling the telescope and camera independently.  With a telescope control GUI, we supply the basic features to drive the telescope, while also ushering in the controls for the auto-guider, greatly enhancing the past capability.  Meanwhile, the camera GUI handles the different camera exposure settings, camera filters, and saving of images.  We construct the GUIs using the software package wxPython in conjunction with the package TwistedPython.  In tandem, these software comprise of the bulk underlining functionality; where we use the feature set of wxPython to receive top-level client input and then talk to our hardware systems with TwistedPython to convey the user's needs.  Ultimately, the move to completely new, high-level software allows us more control than proprietary solutions allowing us to implement an intuitive end-user experience that will run on any computer towards the future.

The Astronomy Undergraduate Engineering Group's (AUEG) is designing and installing a new instrument multiplexer for the 0.76m telescope at the Manastash Ridge Observatory (MRO). The multiplexer includes mechanics for the focal reducing optics, guider, filter wheel, the Student Technology Fee (STF) funded high performance photometer, as well as the STF funded spectrograph. Most of the research effort is going into the quick-change, fiber fed spectrograph that will extend our capabilities into new areas of astronomical observations. This instrument will be capable of switching between imaging and spectroscopic observations within seconds, all while maintaining an on-sky lock on the target. It will also include several resolution modes allowing for a varied ability for the user to choose between high throughput and high resolution. Through the efforts of the AUEG and the funding by the STF and MRO will once again have a full suite of high performance instrumentation with the ability to take several minute exposures, both photometrically and spectroscopically. Expected final product completion date for the instrumentation upgrades is Fall 2016.

Airflow inside a telescope dome is crucial for the efficient collection of data. The purpose of this project is to analyze the airflow inside the dome of the 3.5 meter telescope at Apache Point Observatory. Air flow metrology was used to measure wind velocity at multiple points in the dome over several months. This data was reduced using numerical computation. With this data, analysis was performed for trends both computationally and using 3D visualization of vector flow patterns. This data will be used to improve the dome airflow by moving and replacing louvers throughout the dome. By doing so, the wind flow across the telescope light path will be optimized and the resolution of targets at this telescope will be improved.

The Astronomy Undergraduate Engineering Group is building an attachment to improve the science capabilities of the Manastash Ridge Observatory 30 inch telescope. This attachment is an offset guider which will improve tracking capabilities allowing the telescope to stay within two arcseconds of a target star (seeing limit) for an extended period of time. The guider uses unused light from the main optical path that is reflected off with a pick-off mirror onto a detector. A rotating periscope design is used to take full advantage of all of the unused light by creating a simulated large field that the detector can use to increase the sampling area. The periscopes rotational position along this field will be driven by a high precision stepper motor for maximum control. Two linear actuators will als  o be used to check the primary focus of the telescope so that it may dynamically correct for any wandering of the focus.

Once the most followed woman on Instagram with a net worth of over 85 million dollars, Kim Kardashian West has not only made herself a household name, but as well her whole family. Seen as one of the most recognizable families in the world, the Kardashians have developed a brand surrounding their bodies, style, and personalities. As their brand continues, so has their cooptation of blackness to maintain their image and status. As the course of their success continues so has the Kardashians’ use of black scripts and performance in order to maintain their successful brand. As we look at stereotyped black features within the Kardashians, Kim herself has been known for her curvy figure, youngest member Kylie has gained attention surrounding her lip injections, and Khloe Kardashian has generated controversy over her appropriated persona. My project asks, what aspects of black culture have the Kardashians used to propel and maintain their careers? What does their strong media following and general popularity say about society’s acceptance of black appropriation? While conducting my research, I found that through their performance of blackness the Kardashians are able to further remove themselves from their Armenian identity and thus become traditional “white” celebrities by mainstream media. This performance allows the family to succeed by using what’s “cool” while not having to deal with the real oppressions that come with being black. With this performance, they are able to elevate their status by benefiting from the coolness while reminding viewers that they are not black. As one of the most famous families in the United States—and famous for being themselves—it’s important to examine their performance because through this modern form of minstrelsy, it allows us to see how society interacts with blackness and what blackness means.

Public service announcements have long been a marketing technique to educate the public on social issues. Recently, audiences have spotted PSAs during the broadcasts of a sport usually known for shilling commercial advertisements – professional football. But why the change from beer and truck commercials to PSAs? Most of the research examining advertising and the National Football League relates to consumer products and the impact of ads being viewed during games have on the consumption of that product. Relatively absent in current literature is the relationship between public service announcements and the NFL. This research aims to determine how successful public service announcements and campaigns like the “NO MORE Domestic Violence” campaign are in generating public awareness about a social issue. Additionally, this research investigates whether attitudes about domestic violence differ depending on who is delivering the PSA messaging. Because of the unique partnership the campaign has with the NFL and the league’s history with domestic violence, one element of this research will focus on changes within the league that have been made since the implementation of the partnership. Many believe that the partnership is simply one to save the reputation of the NFL due to their history of victim-shaming and light punitive action against players who have been accused. By examining responses after viewing celebrity and NFL ambassadors, this study will ascertain if there is a relationship between how the messages relating to domestic violence stigmas are received and who is associated with that message. Ultimately, this research may suggest that public service announcement-style campaigns can be an effective conduit for generating awareness about a social issue even in a social-media dominated landscape, where social movements are implemented as hashtags and national dialogues occur based on what’s trending online. This research will also unearth what societal notions exist surrounding domestic violence, and offer methods for rectifying stigmas.

The purpose of this research is to design, build, and deploy an all-sky cloud monitor instrument for Apache Point Observatory. This camera will be used to monitor the sky surrounding the telescope and provide sight down to the horizon via visual and numerical feedback. This research will create automatic image analysis software that will calculate sky brightness and uniformity, both of which can be used to constrain the level of atmospheric blockage. The cloud camera system will also have weather metrology feedback which can alert observers using the telescopes to current hazardous weather conditions. As a self-contained unit, this camera, and associated sensors, will require no actions by on-site or remote observers to function. An instrument with this mode of operation will allow for safe remote observing with minimal (to zero) engineering support. The end users of this instrument will be astronomers using the telescopes remotely. This will allow remote users to see the current sky conditions, which can have a great effect on their data.

DNA replication is essential for cells to divide and is initiated at specific areas along chromosomes called origins. To better understand how perturbing the process of origin initiation affects cells, our lab created a mutant of the Pre Replication Complex in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We observe interesting phenotypes in this mutant, including an altered replication pattern and a shortened Chr XII, due to a loss of ribosomal DNA repeats. The rDNA locus contains around 150 copies of a 9.1 kb repeated sequence which encodes the template needed for ribosome synthesis and also an origin of replication, called rARS. We find the activity of rARS is reduced in the mutant and believe the highly repetitive nature of this region and lack of origin initiation make this locus particularly sensitive to replication stress during S-phase. Interestingly, we have found in a different genetic background of yeast, cells harboring this same mutation in the Pre-RC can maintain a relatively large rDNA locus. My research specifically studies this phenomenon and attempts to explore the mechanisms by which this mutant can overcome replication stress in the rDNA region without reducing rDNA copy number. I am currently investigating several possibilities including using gene replacement to determine the role of a notable mutation in a DNA damage repair protein present in this background. This mutation could confer some stress relief to the cells, which would allow them to retain their large rDNA. I will use the genetic tools available in yeast to study this mutation and its effect on rDNA size variation by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis. DNA replication is vital for cell growth and we hope these inquiries will better elucidate the mechanisms and factors involved in replication in order to better our overall understanding of cell biology.

 Each year about 33 children 18 years of age or younger are hospitalized and 19 die from firearm injuries in Washington State. Safe firearm storage, including storing firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from locked ammunition is associated with a lower risk of such injuries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 community-based firearm safety events that included the provision of a free firearm locking device (lock box or trigger lock) among firearm owners in Washington State, particularly among families with young children in the home. At each event, participants received training to operate the safety device and advice to store their firearms safely. Participants were asked to complete voluntary onsite questionnaires that established household firearm storage practices prior to receiving the lock box or trigger lock and consent to follow-up phone surveys approximately 4-6 weeks later. Surveys included questions assessing demographics, motivations for firearm storage practices, level of comfort with potential firearm safety counselors (e.g., physicians, law enforcement officers), and changes in household firearm storage practices since the safety event. Participants were compensated for their time with $5 gift certificates. Of 398 event participants, 195 completed both surveys and were included in the study sample. About one-half were female and 81.4% reported keeping a firearm in the home. The results from this research will help determine the best way to improve gun safety within the firearm community.